Management of the patient with sickle cell disease.

Sickle cell disease is a group of genetic disorders of hemoglobin synthesis, of which sickle cell anemia is the most severe. In the United States, sickle cell disease primarily affects persons of African-American and Hispanic origin. An estimated 50,000 Americans have the disease, and approximately 2.5 million persons carry the sickle cell trait. The primary pathophysiologic features are chronic hemolysis and vaso-occlusion. This disease is recurrent and unpredictable, causing considerable physiologic and psychologic stress. This article provides an overview of the disease and addresses the role of the infusion nurse in the care and support of the patient with sickle cell disease in the hospital and home setting.