The Clinical journal of pain
-
Pain is the most common reason for admission to the Emergency Department (ED) in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). It can be associated with severe complications and impairs quality of life. Pain management in the ED should be well-defined and aggressive. The objective of this study was to evaluate pain management in the pediatric ED of a country recently facing SCD and to identify priority areas of intervention. ⋯ Pain represents the main reason for admission to the ED in children with SCD even in countries recently facing SCD. Educational interventions obtained significant but still limited improvement in pain management. The diffusion of national guidelines with defined pain evaluation and treatment protocols represents a priority to further ameliorate care of SCD children.