SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-National Alliance of Sickle Cell Centers Consensus Standards for Acute Care Management of Acute Pain Crisis for Children and Adults With Sickle Cell Disease

National Alliance of Sickle Cell Centers Consensus Standards for Acute Care Management of Acute Pain Crisis for Children and Adults With Sickle Cell Disease

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The document summarizes a National Alliance of Sickle Cell Centers (NASCC) consensus effort to improve acute care for sickle cell disease (SCD), especially acute pain crises (APCs), which are common, serious, and linked to hospitalization and death. Because existing national guidance leaves room for variation, NASCC used a 4-phase modified RAND/UCLA Delphi process from June 2022 to May 2025 to develop practice standards and recommendations.<br /><br />The process included a systematic literature review, drafting expert statements, hybrid virtual/in-person discussion, and final voting by NASCC center directors. NASCC defined consensus beforehand as 70% positive endorsement. A total of 37 statements were voted on, and 36 reached consensus: 19 standards and 8 recommendations. The statements covered individualized care plans, initial acute care presentation, and hospital admission.<br /><br />Key highlights include:<br />- SCD specialist expertise should be involved in every hospitalization, with daily engagement if possible.<br />- Every person with SCD should have an individualized care plan created and updated with an SCD specialist.<br />- Care plans should include ED and inpatient APC management, specialist contact information, and clear guidance on when to call.<br />- Providers should not transfuse without discussing with an SCD specialist.<br />- Pain management should be rapidly established, with an effective regimen within 24 hours and a goal of weaning by day 5.<br />- Multimodal pain management and PCA are emphasized.<br />- IV antihistamines should be avoided because of oversedation risk.<br /><br />The authors conclude that these evidence-informed consensus standards can reduce care variability and improve hospital management of APCs, while also creating a foundation for future higher-quality, evidence-based guidelines.

Asset Subtitle

Ashley Jenkins

Meta Tag

Author List Ashley Jenkins, Deepa Manwani, Julie Kanter, Madhav Vissa, Mohan Madisetti, Sophie Lankron

Category Research

Concept NASCC consensus standards

Concept Pain Crisis

Concept Sickle Cell Disease

Concept Standardized Acute Care

Concept Individualized Care Plan

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry

Presenting Author Ashley Jenkins

Track Translating Research into Practice

Keywords

sickle cell disease

acute pain crises

consensus standards

NASCC

Delphi process

hospitalization

individualized care plans

pain management

PCA

acute care guidelines

NASCC consensus standards

Pain Crisis

Sickle Cell Disease

Standardized Acute Care

Individualized Care Plan