Care Plans to Reduce Healthcare Utilization in Sickle Cell Disease

Published Online: at http://www.ajmc.com/publications/evidence-based-oncology/2015/The-American-Society-of-Hematology-Annual-Meeting-2014/Care-Plans-to-Reduce-Healthcare-Utilization-in-Sickle-Cell-Disease Surabhi Dangi-Garimella, PhD While innovations in drug development improve patient health, care management plans in hospitals and academic health institutes are evolving simultaneously to allow for better patient care at reduced costs. That was the conclusion of presenters at a Health Services and Outcomes Research session on sickle cell disease (SCD) management, part of the 56th Meeting of the American Society of Hematology, held in San Francisco, California, December 6-9, 2014. SCD, a commonly inherited blood disorder resulting from abnormal hemoglobin, is associated with lifelong disabilities and can reduce life expectancy. The disease affects between 90,000 and 100,000 people in the United States,1 and a study published in 2009 in the American Journal of Hematologyestimated that the annual cost of medical care alone for these patients exceeds $1.1 billion.2 Jane S. Hankins, MD, MS, associate professor, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, presented the model being evaluated at her institute to manage the transition of pediatric patients with SCD into adult care while avoiding the overutilization of healthcare. - See more at: http://www.ajmc.com/publications/evidence-based-oncology/2015/The-American-Society-of-Hematology-Annual-Meeting-2014/Care-Plans-to-Reduce-Healthcare-Utilization-in-Sickle-Cell-Disease#sthash.SFbPJ8yL.dpuf