PainRelief.com: What are the main findings?
Response: Our study evaluated 398.895 ED visits for acute sickle cell disease pain across 233 EDs nationwide and found that only 32% of the visits received guideline-adherent first opioid pain medication. The second dose was guideline-adherent only 9% and 36% of the time for 30- and 60-minute intervals of the first dose, respectively. We also found significant disparities in guideline adherence based on demographics: patients aged ≤19 years (52%) versus >19 years (30%), males (37%) versus females (29%), and patients seen in pediatric EDs (65%) versus adult EDs (30%).
PainRelief.com: What are the barriers to timely medication administration?
Response: Our study was not designed to evaluate barriers to timely pain medication administration; however, we speculate that factors such as providers’ lack of familiarity with sickle cell disease care protocols, limited resources, including staffing, and implicit bias may be at play. Another critical barrier could be the concern over safety, and potential opioid abuse may discourage providers from swift administration of these opioid medications. This problem is confounded by the fact that SCD pain is a clinical diagnosis with no biomarker for confirmation.
PainRelief.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: Substantial clinical care gaps in timeliness of pain medication administration exist and are compounded by potential equity concerns.
PainRelief.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Response: Substantial clinical care gaps in timeliness of pain medication administration exist and are compounded by potential equity concerns.
PainRelief.com: Is there anything else you would like to add? Any disclosures?
I would like to acknowledge my co-authors and the Nemours’ research team for their support and contributions. I have no disclosures.
Citation:
ASH 2025: Abstract Title : Multicenter evaluation of guideline adherence for the timeliness of pain medication for acute sickle cell disease pain Category: 900s – Health Services, Quality Improvement, and Outcomes Research Review Category: 900. Health Services and Quality Improvement: Hemoglobinopathies Authors Ibrahim Gwarzo 1 , Harish chandra Dega 2 , David Brousseau 1 1 Nemours Children’s Health and Sidney Kimmel Medical School at Thomas Jefferson University, Pediatrics
https://meetings-api.hematology.org/api/abstract/vmpreview/302843
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Last Updated on December 7, 2025 by PainRelief.com