Sickle cell disease

Quality statements

Statement 1 People who present at hospital with an acute painful sickle cell episode have a pain assessment, a clinical assessment and appropriate analgesia within 30 minutes of presentation.

Statement 2 People with an acute painful sickle cell episode have an assessment of pain relief every 30 minutes until satisfactory pain relief has been achieved and then at least every 4 hours.

Statement 3 People with an acute painful sickle cell episode who are taking strong opioids are monitored for adverse events every hour for the first 6 hours after first administration or step up of pain relief and then at least every 4 hours.

Statement 4 People with an acute painful sickle cell episode are assessed for acute chest syndrome if they have 1 or more of the following: abnormal respiratory signs or symptoms, chest pain, fever, or signs and symptoms of hypoxia.

Statement 5 Healthcare professionals who care for people with an acute painful sickle cell episode have access to locally agreed protocols on treatment and management and specialist support from designated centres.

Statement 6 People with an acute painful sickle cell episode are given information before discharge on how to continue to manage their current episode.