Opioid Use Among Children and Adults With Sickle Cell Disease in North Carolina Medicaid Enrollees in the Era of Opioid Harm Reduction.

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.

Awareness and Use of the Sickle Cell Disease Toolbox by Primary Care Providers in North Carolina.

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.

Dissemination of Evidence-Based Recommendations for Sickle Cell Disease to Primary Care and Emergency Department Providers in North Carolina: A Cost Benefit Analysis.

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.

Sickle-Cell Disease Co-Management, Health Care Utilization, and Hydroxyurea Use.

Background: Sickle-cell disease (SCD) causes significant morbidity, premature mortality, and high disease burden, resulting in frequent health care use. Comanagement may improve utilization and patient adherence with treatments such as Hydroxyurea. The purpose of this study was to describe acute-care utilization in Medicaid-enrolled patients with SCD, patient factors associated with comanagement, and adherence to Hydroxyurea.

Implementation of an Emergency Department Screening and Care Management Referral Process for Patients With Sickle Cell Disease.

Purpose Of Study: The purpose of the project was to describe the implementation and evaluation of a care management referral program from emergency departments (EDs) to care management services for patients with sickle cell disease (SCD).

Primary Practice Setting: Patients were referred to Community Care of North Carolina (CCNC), which is a private-public collaboration providing care management services and served as a referral hub for the program. Patients received follow-up from either CCNC or the North Carolina Sickle Cell Syndrome Program.

A Commentary on Pediatric Oral Health in North Carolina.

Pediatric oral health care in North Carolina has taken a unique path to its current form and will require similar innovation to counter headwinds to its continued success. This commentary describes that path and attempts to set a vision and strategy for the future that leverages Community Care of North Carolina's infrastructure and continues to promote the expansion of clinical guidelines for pediatric preventive oral health care for vulnerable populations.