Treating Patients with Sickle Cell Disease in New Jersey: How Palliative Care Can Help

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) disproportionately affects Black communities, yet patients with SCD often face barriers to accessing comprehensive supportive care. Recognizing this gap, the Hackensack palliative care team found that many patients hospitalized with sickle cell pain crises were not receiving palliative care services, despite experiencing significant symptom burden. A review of patient charts and care plans showed that those who received palliative care consultations benefited from more coordinated, personalized care and greater access to supportive services. In response, the team implemented a standardized process to ensure that every patient admitted with a sickle cell crisis or related complication was evaluated by the palliative care service and connected to outpatient palliative care when appropriate, helping to improve equitable access to symptom management and supportive care.