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THE USE OF TELEMEDICINE TO IMPROVE TRANSITION OF CARE FOR PATIENTS WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE
Pediatric Blood and Cancer ; 69(SUPPL 2):S31, 2022.
Article in English | EMBASE | ID: covidwho-1885447
ABSTRACT

Background:

Approximately 60% of children with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) have at least one vaso-occlusive pain episode (VOE) per year. VOE can sometimes require hospitalization, but often needs continued patient-specific management at home following discharge. Despite the recognized utility of personalized treatment plans for patients with SCD, use and communication regarding these pain plans can vary. The COVID-19 pandemic saw widespread use of telemedicine to improve healthcare access for patients needing medical care. Little is known about its potential usability to improve post-hospitalization pain management in SCD.

Objectives:

The objective of this study was to determine if hospital follow-up telemedicine visits allowed for improved caregiver-provider communication regarding home pain management, improved scheduling of outpatient sickle cell follow-up, and decreased readmissions. Design/

Method:

Data for telemedicine visits conducted between August 2021 through December 2021 are presented here. All patients with SCD admitted to the hematology/oncology unit at Riley Hospital for Children were eligible for a telemedicine visit within 48 to 72 hours of discharge. Visits were requested by the inpatient nurse navigator and included in the patient's discharge education handout. Telemedicine visits were performed by Hematology/Oncology Advanced Practice Providers (APPs). During the visits, all patients/caregivers were asked 1) If they had any difficulty obtaining their medications after discharge, 2) If their home pain plan was reviewed with them prior to discharge, 3) If they had any questions about their regimen, 4) If their pain control was adequate, and 5) If they had a follow-up scheduled with the SCD clinic.

Results:

Forty-seven patients with SCD were hospitalized during this timeframe. Average age was 12.75 years (+/-5.82). Most (70%) had Hemoglobin SS, and most were hospitalized for pain (83%). Eight patients were readmitted within 30 days. Of those hospitalized, 4 did not attend their telemedicine visit (1 due to wrong number, 1 refused the visit, and 2 readmitted prior to scheduled visit). Only 48% of patients were given a copy of their home pain plan. Eighteen patients/caregivers had questions about their home pain plan and dosing, needed augmentation of their plan, and/or had difficulty in obtaining their prescriptions after discharge. Five patients did not have a follow-up appointment with the sickle cell clinic scheduled by the time of their telemedicine visit.

Conclusion:

Hospital follow-up telemedicine visits allowed for improved communication regarding home management and scheduling of follow-up. The findings from this work demonstrate the usability of telemedicine to improve transition of care from the inpatient to the outpatient setting.
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Full text: Available Collection: Databases of international organizations Database: EMBASE Language: English Journal: Pediatric Blood and Cancer Year: 2022 Document Type: Article

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Full text: Available Collection: Databases of international organizations Database: EMBASE Language: English Journal: Pediatric Blood and Cancer Year: 2022 Document Type: Article