Addressing Sickle Cell Disease: A Strategic Plan and Blueprint for Action (2020)
Chapter: Appendix F: Georgia Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center: A Case Study
Appendix F
Georgia Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center: A Case Study1
July 9, 2019, National Academies SCD Committee Site Visit
ABOUT
The Georgia Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center located at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, was established in 1984. The purpose of the center is to provide the most basic education, clinical research, laboratory diagnosis, counseling, and patient care for sickle cell patients. It was the first comprehensive care clinic in the world to be open 24 hours per day for individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD). To this day, it is still the only comprehensive SCD care center in the state of Georgia.
ORGANIZATION
The Georgia Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center has an outpatient clinic 4 days per week. In addition, it has a 24 hours per day, 7 days per week emergency room with 11 beds specifically for those with SCD. The Center has more than 4,000 visits per year for acute care. Acute care has an admission rate of 16 percent and sends home approximately 84 percent of the individuals seen. The Center is run in collaboration with the Emory University School of Medicine and Grady Memorial Hospital.
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1 See https://www.gradyhealth.org/care-treatment/sickle-cell-diseasecenter (accessed December 17, 2019).
FUNDING
The Center is supported by an annual $500,000 grant from the Georgia Department of Public Health.
STAFFING
The Center is staffed by four physicians who provide health care services. Two physicians are full-time and on site while the other two physicians are part-time. The Center also staffs six advanced practice providers, which include nurse practitioners and physician assistants.
PROGRAMS (SERVICES) OFFERED
Services offered include
- acute pain care,
- blood transfusion,
- access to hydrea clinics,
- hydroxyurea treatments, and
- wound care.
DATA COLLECTION AND USE
The Center collects data through the Sickle Cell Data Collection program in Georgia. Data are used to monitor and report the overall health of people in the state with SCD. Orthopedic clinicians at the Georgia Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center are currently involved in research to identify more efficient and effective ways to care for those with SCD.
PATIENT ENGAGEMENT
Patients are engaged through
- sickle cell education,
- monthly group support meetings, and
- pediatric transition classes.
