Targeted Hydroxyurea Education after an Emergency Department Visit Increases Hydroxyurea Use in Children with Sickle Cell Anemia.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the impact of an initiative to increase hydroxyurea use among children with sickle cell anemia (SCA) who presented to the emergency department (ED). STUDY DESIGN:This observational cohort study included children with SCA not taking hydroxyurea who presented to the ED with pain or acute chest syndrome and then attended a Quick-Start Hydroxyurea Initiation Project (Q-SHIP) session. A Q-SHIP session includes a hematologist-led discussion on hydroxyurea, a video of patients talking about hydroxyurea, and a direct offer to start hydroxyurea. RESULTS:Over 64 weeks, 112 eligible patients presented to the ED and 59% (n?=?66) participated in a Q-SHIP session a median of 6 days (IQR 2, 20 days) after ED or hospital discharge; 55% of participants (n?=?36) started hydroxyurea. After a median follow-up of 49 weeks, 83% (n?=?30) of these participants continued hydroxyurea. Laboratory markers of hydroxyurea adherence were significantly increased from baseline: median mean corpuscular volume +8.6?fL (IQR 5.0, 17.7, P?

SUBMITTER: Pecker LH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6159227 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature