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Crego N, Douglas C, Bonnabeau E, Eason K, Earls M, Tanabe P, Shah N. Opioid Use Among Children and Adults With Sickle Cell Disease in North Carolina Medicaid Enrollees in the Era of Opioid Harm Reduction. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol 2024; 46:181-187. [PMID: 38551912 DOI: 10.1097/mph.0000000000002852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/24/2024]
Abstract
Adults and children with sickle cell disease (SCD) are predominantly African American, with pain-related health disparities. We examined opioid prescription fill patterns in adults and children with SCD and compared factors associated with fills in North Carolina Medicaid enrollees. Our retrospective cohort study included 955 enrollees diagnosed with SCD having at least one opioid fill. Associations were measured between two cohorts (12 and 24 mo of continuous enrollment) for the following characteristics: sex, age, enrollee residence, hydroxyurea adherence, comanagement, enrollment in Community Care North Carolina, prescription for short versus short and long-acting opioids, and emergency department reliance. The majority of individuals did not have an opioid claim over a 12 or 24-month period. Claims increased at ages 10 to 17, peaking at ages 18 to 30. The increased number of claims was associated with the following factors: increasing age, male, short versus long-acting opioids, and Medicaid enrollment for 24 versus 12 months. Community Care North Carolina enrollees in the 12-month cohort had higher opioid days of supply per month; the inverse was true of the 24-month cohort.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Kern Eason
- School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham
| | | | - Paula Tanabe
- School of Nursing
- School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham
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Ibemere SO, Tanabe P, Bonnabeau E, Rains G, Eason K, Earls MF, Shah N. Awareness and Use of the Sickle Cell Disease Toolbox by Primary Care Providers in North Carolina. J Prim Care Community Health 2021; 12:21501327211049050. [PMID: 34632830 PMCID: PMC8512219 DOI: 10.1177/21501327211049050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a complex chronic blood disorder characterized by severe disease complications ideally managed by both hematologists and primary care providers (PCP's). PCP's report knowledge gaps and discomfort with SCD management. Our team developed and a decision support tool for SCD management (SCD Toolbox) based on the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's SCD guidelines. We surveyed PCPs in North Carolina (NC) prior to formal dissemination to determine current co-management practices, assess toolbox acceptability, use, format preferences, and understand which algorithms would be most helpful. METHOD A 23-item baseline needs assessment survey was disseminated to PCPs throughout NC. RESULTS A total of 63 medical providers responded to the survey and of these respondents, 64% reported caring for 1 to 10 patients with SCD. Only 39% of PCPs reported regular communication with an SCD specialist. Providers reported the highest level of awareness of the pediatric and adult health maintenance tools (41% and 39% respectively) and highest use of the pediatric (26%) and adult (28%) health maintenance tools. Respondents also expressed a desire to have access to multiple toolbox formats (37%) (website, mobile app and/or paper). LIMITATIONS The use of a convenience sample and low survey response are study limitations which hinder generalizability. CONCLUSIONS PCPs rarely co-managed with a specialist, had low awareness and use of SCD toolbox, and requested multiple formats for the toolbox.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paula Tanabe
- Duke University School of Nursing, Durham, NC, USA.,Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Gary Rains
- Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Kern Eason
- Previously Community Care North Carolina, Cary, NC, USA
| | | | - Nirmish Shah
- Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
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Masese RV, Crego N, Douglas C, Rains G, Bonnabeau E, DeMartino T, Shah N, Tanabe P. A Needs Assessment of Persons With Sickle Cell Disease in a Major Medical Center in North Carolina. N C Med J 2021; 82:312-320. [PMID: 34544765 PMCID: PMC10564552 DOI: 10.18043/ncm.82.5.312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a complex disease associated with many complications and a shortened lifespan. In 2016, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute funded 8 centers in the United States to form the Sickle Cell Disease Implementation Consortium, with the goal of improving SCD care. The aim of our study was to describe SCD self-efficacy, pain interference, and barriers to care from the perspective of persons with SCD in the North Carolina center.METHODS Persons with SCD, aged 15 and older were recruited from a large SCD center in North Carolina. Surveys, focus groups, and interviews were completed.RESULTS Fifty-one people completed a survey, and 14 people completed an interview or focus group. Barriers identified in the survey included self-care barriers, misconceptions related to hydroxyurea (an oral medication that reduces rates of pain crisis), limited provider knowledge, and stigma. Concerning self-efficacy, participants reported that they were able to manage their pain symptoms most of the time. Pain interfered most with the ability to participate in social and day-to-day activities.Common themes from the focus groups and interviews included misconceptions about hydroxyurea, pain, provider knowledge, stigma, co-management, transportation, and insurance. Recommendations to improve care included the use of case managers, utilization of treatment guidelines, individualized pain protocols, and effective co-management by providers.LIMITATIONS Participants were recruited from 1 SCD center and may not be representative of the entire SCD population in North Carolina.CONCLUSIONS Participants described many perceived barriers to care, and their responses suggest a need for improvements in patient hydroxyurea education, provider knowledge, and care coordination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita V Masese
- School of Nursing, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina.
| | - Nancy Crego
- School of Nursing, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | | | - Gary Rains
- Duke Office of Clinical Research, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | | | | | - Nirmish Shah
- Duke University Medical Center, Duke Health, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Paula Tanabe
- School of Nursing, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
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Tanabe P, Blewer AL, Bonnabeau E, Bosworth HB, Clayton DH, Crego N, Earls MF, Eason K, Forlines G, Rains G, Young M, Shah N. Dissemination of Evidence-Based Recommendations for Sickle Cell Disease to Primary Care and Emergency Department Providers in North Carolina: A Cost Benefit Analysis. J Health Econ Outcomes Res 2021; 8:18-28. [PMID: 33829067 PMCID: PMC8016663 DOI: 10.36469/jheor.2021.21535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic condition affecting primarily individuals of African descent, who happen to be disproportionately impacted by poverty and who lack access to health care. Individuals with SCD are at high likelihood of high acute care utilization and chronic pain episodes. The multiple complications seen in SCD contribute to significant morbidity and premature mortality, as well as substantial costs to the healthcare system. Objectives: SCD is a complex chronic disease resulting in the need for primary, specialty and emergency care. Many providers do not feel prepared to care for individuals with SCD, despite the existence of evidence-based guidelines. We report the development of a SCD toolbox and the dissemination process to primary care and emergency department (ED) providers in North Carolina (NC). We report the effect of this dissemination on health-care utilization, cost of care, and overall cost-benefit. Methods: The SCD toolbox was adapted from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute recommendations. Toolbox training was provided to quality improvement specialists who then disseminated the toolbox to primary care providers (PCPs) affiliated with the only NC managed care coordination system and ED providers. Tools were made available in paper, online, and in app formats to participating managed care network practices (n=1 800). Medicaid claims data were analyzed for total costs and benefits of the toolbox dissemination for a 24-month pre- and 18-month post-intervention period. Results: There was no statistically significant shift in the number of outpatient specialty visits, ED visits or hospitalizations. There was a small decrease in the number of PCP visits in the post-implementation period. The dissemination resulted in a net cost-savings of $361 414 ($14.03 per-enrollee per-month on average). However, the estimated financial benefit associated with the dissemination of the SCD toolbox was not statistically significant. Conclusions: Although we did not find the expected shift to increased PCP visits and decreased ED visits and hospitalizations, there were many lessons learned.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Tanabe
- School of Nursing, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA; Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Audrey L Blewer
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA; Department of Population Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Hayden B Bosworth
- School of Nursing, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA; Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA; Department of Population Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA; Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation (ADAPT), Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center (DVAMC), Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Nancy Crego
- School of Nursing, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Kern Eason
- Previously - Community Care North Carolina, Cary, NC, USA
| | | | - Gary Rains
- Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Nirmish Shah
- Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
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Abstract
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a common genetic blood disorder predominantly affecting African Americans in the United States. The objective of this study was to use a multimethods approach to describe how patients with SCD in North Carolina perceive the care they receive in emergency departments (EDs). Fourteen participants completed an interview (n = 10) or 2 focus groups (n = 2 per focus group) and 51 completed surveys. Sixty percent of participants with pain attack "very much" or "quite a bit" avoided going to the ED for care because of prior bad experiences and 50% of participants reported waiting 120 minutes or more in the ED for treatment of their sickle cell pain. Participants reported that stigma associated with provider perception of drug-seeking behavior is a persistent problem in the ED. Participant recommendations warrant further investigation to address persistent SCD quality-of-care concerns in the ED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy Crego
- Duke University School of Nursing, Durham, North Carolina (Drs Crego, Masese, and Tanabe and Ms Bonnabeau); Social & Scientific Systems, Inc, Durham, North Carolina (Dr Douglas); Duke Office of Clinical Research, Durham, North Carolina (Mr Rains); and Duke University Medicine, Durham, North Carolina (Dr Shah)
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Masese RV, DeMartino T, Bonnabeau E, Burns EN, Preiss L, Varughese T, Nocek JM, Lasley P, Chen Y, Davila C, Nwosu C, Scott S, Bowman L, Gordon L, Clesca C, Peters-Lawrence M, Melvin C, Shah N, Tanabe P. Effective Recruitment Strategies for a Sickle Cell Patient Registry Across Sites from the Sickle Cell Disease Implementation Consortium (SCDIC). J Immigr Minor Health 2020; 23:725-732. [PMID: 33034793 PMCID: PMC8032811 DOI: 10.1007/s10903-020-01102-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic disorder predominantly affecting people of African descent and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. To improve SCD outcomes, the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute funded eight centers to participate in the SCD Implementation Consortium. Sites were required to each recruit 300 individuals with SCD, over 20 months. We aim to describe recruitment strategies and challenges encountered. Participants aged 15-45 years with confirmed diagnosis of SCD were eligible. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the effectiveness of each recruitment strategy. A total of 2432 participants were recruited. Majority (95.3%) were African American. Successful strategies were recruitment from clinics (68.1%) and affiliated sites (15.6%). Recruitment at community events, emergency departments and pain centers had the lowest yield. Challenges included saturation of strategies and time constraints. Effective recruitment of participants in multi-site studies requires multiple strategies to achieve adequate sample sizes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita V Masese
- Duke University School of Nursing, DUMC 3322, 307 Trent Drive, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
| | - Terri DeMartino
- Duke University School of Nursing, DUMC 3322, 307 Trent Drive, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Emily Bonnabeau
- Duke University School of Nursing, DUMC 3322, 307 Trent Drive, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Ebony N Burns
- Duke University School of Nursing, DUMC 3322, 307 Trent Drive, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | | | - Taniya Varughese
- Program in Occupational Therapy, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Judith M Nocek
- Department of Medicine, Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Yumei Chen
- University of California, San Francisco, Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland, 747 52nd Street, Oakland, CA, 94609, USA
| | | | | | - Samantha Scott
- Augusta University Center for Blood Disorders, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Latanya Bowman
- Augusta University Center for Blood Disorders, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Lauren Gordon
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Cindy Clesca
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Marlene Peters-Lawrence
- Division of Blood Diseases and Resources, National Institute of Health, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Cathy Melvin
- Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Nirmish Shah
- Duke University School of Nursing, DUMC 3322, 307 Trent Drive, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Paula Tanabe
- Duke University School of Nursing, DUMC 3322, 307 Trent Drive, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
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Bulgin D, Bonnabeau E, Alexander A, Frederick E, Rains G, Shah N, Young M, Tanabe P. An Interrupted Time Series Analysis of the Dissemination of a Sickle Cell Vaso-Occlusive Episode Treatment Algorithm and a Case Management Referral Form for Individuals With Sickle Cell Disease in the Emergency Department. J Emerg Nurs 2020; 47:40-49.e1. [PMID: 32826064 DOI: 10.1016/j.jen.2020.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sickle cell disease is associated with frequent vaso-occlusive episode and emergency department visits. Our group developed (1) a vaso-occlusive episode treatment algorithm based on the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute recommendations, and (2) a case management referral form to identify social behavioral health needs of patients with sickle cell disease in the emergency department. The aims of this project were to (1) disseminate the vaso-occlusive episode algorithm and case management referral form, and (2) to evaluate the individual provider-reported awareness, use, and preferred method of access to each tool among emergency department providers in North Carolina. METHODS An interrupted time series analysis was used to study the impact that an educational effort had on the awareness of a sickle cell vaso-occlusive episode treatment algorithm and a case management referral form. A targeted list was developed to identify the providers working in emergency departments with the largest number of sickle cell disease patient visits. In-service education was provided to targeted emergency departments in North Carolina over a period of 3 years. The vaso-occlusive episode algorithm and case management referral form were put up on the websites of professional organizations. Surveys were provided to emergency department providers at these targeted emergency departments with a baseline and post dissemination at 20 and 32 months for assessing the provider awareness, use, and preferred method of access of the tools. Additional feedback could be given by the participants through telephone interviews. Descriptive statistics were obtained, and content analysis was performed on interviews. RESULTS We received survey responses for the following periods: baseline (T1, n = 190), post dissemination at 20 (T2, n = 142), and 32 months (T3, n = 93). Awareness of the tools was between 42% (baseline) and 41% (post dissemination at T2, T3) for the vaso-occlusive episodes algorithm and 25% (baseline) and 29% (post dissemination at T2, T3) for the case management referral form. However, use of these tools was found to be low as only 19% of the emergency department providers used the vaso-occlusive episode algorithm at T1 and 13% T2, while 5% of emergency department providers used the case management referral form at T1 and 6% at T2. With further education about the tools, an increase in the usage of the tools was observed T3, which was 29% for the vaso-occlusive episodes algorithm and 9% for the case management referral form. Lack of incorporation of the decision support tools into emergency department processes was observed to be an overarching barrier to dissemination of the tools identified in interviews (n = 8). CONCLUSIONS This study can be used to inform future strategies on dissemination of evidence-based tools to emergency department providers.
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