Use of a depression and sleep impairment treatment guideline to improve quality of life for patients with sickle cell disease.

Background: Pain in sickle cell disease (SCD) is often joined by other affective disorders such as depression and/or sleep impairment that can impact pain levels and quality of life (QoL).

Aim: To develop a guideline to improve the process of assessment and treatment of depression and sleep impairment in patients admitted with SCD.

Method: An interdisciplinary team used the Stetler model to create the Guideline for the Evaluation and Treatment of Depression and Sleep Impairment in Sickle Cell Disease.