UAMS begins statewide sickle cell clinical program

LITTLE ROCK - The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) has opened a multidisciplinary clinic to serve Arkansas' adult sickle cell patients as part of a statewide comprehensive program to address the disease.

The multidisciplinary clinic at UAMS' Outpatient Center is led by Robin Devan, M.D., a palliative care physician in the Department of Internal Medicine in the UAMS College of Medicine. Clinic staff will include an advanced practice nurse, a registered nurse and a social worker. Patients will be seen annually and will receive any primary or specialty care they may need.

The program also includes:

A Call Center with nurses available 24/7 to assist and advise providers and patients at 1-855-Sic-Cell (742-2355) A Transition Clinic, which will facilitate the smooth transition of pediatric sickle cell patients to adult care A Patient Registry of consenting adults with sickle cell, tracking their care, morbidity and mortality over time

"Sickle cell is a chronic, high-maintenance disease, because as a blood disease it affects every organ in the body," Devan said, noting that life expectancy can be in the mid-40s for patients with the most severe form of sickle cell. "People in their 20s and 30s may present with kidney failure, liver failure, strokes, retinopathy, and other life-threatening conditions."

Sickle cell affects an estimated 1,300 children and adults in Arkansas. The goal of the program is to improve sickle cell care and the overall well-being of patients across Arkansas through provider training, the use of evidence-based medicine, and patient education.

The program is funded in part by the Arkansas Legislature and Medicaid and is made possible through a partnership with the UAMS Center for Distance Health. More information about the program is at: http://sicklecell.uams.edu.

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UAMS begins statewide sickle cell clinical program