At MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital, a new treatment algorithm is transforming how young patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) and fever are cared for in the Emergency Department. Developed collaboratively by pediatric emergency and hematology/oncology teams, the protocol offers a standardized, risk-based approach to care.
Traditionally, all children under two with SCD and fever were hospitalized as a precaution. But early data show that many of these admissions may not be necessary. The new algorithm helps physicians identify low-risk patients who can safely recover at home with close follow-up, reducing both medical costs and strain on families.
The initiative, published in the Journal of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, has already led to a 10% reduction in hospital admissions without increasing readmission rates. This shift not only enhances quality of life for patients and caregivers but also aligns with evolving national guidelines.
The success underscores the value of interdisciplinary collaboration. “It’s a win for patients, families, and hospitals,” says co-author Dr. Shayla Bergmann. The protocol ensures safer, more consistent care, minimizing unnecessary hospital stays while maintaining vigilance for serious infections.
This approach continues to be refined and studied, with the shared hope that more children will spend their recovery days at home, not in a hospital bed.
Article written by Kathryn Glorioso
28/05/2025
Source:
Medical Xpress
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-sickle-cell-disease-treatment-algorithms.html