Initial care of sickle cell crises at the Prince of Wales Hospital from 2017–2022. A quality improvement study

Abstract

Background: Sickle cell disease is a haemoglobinopathy caused by a single nucleotide substitution in the beta globin gene which leads to polymerisation and sickling at low oxygen tensions.1 The hallmark of the disease is intermittent, painful vaso-occlusive crises which often require presentation to the emergency department for management. Delay in effective management of sickle cell crises in the ED is common.2