Health Care Utilization by Adolescent/Young Adult Patients With Sickle Cell Disease in Delaware

Patients with sickle cell disease transition from the pediatric to the adult health care system during a vulnerable time in their lives, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality during this adolescent/young adult (AYA) period. The purpose of this study is to examine the health care utilization of a cohort of adolescent/young adult patients with sickle cell disease in the main adult health care system in Delaware. Analysis of an electronic health record (EHR) data set of emergency department encounters and inpatient admissions for all patients with sickle cell disease between July 2016 and June 2017 was performed. This revealed significant variability in health care utilization by adolescent/young adult patients with sickle cell disease. There was a small cohort of high utilizer patients with multiple emergency department visits and inpatient admissions. These high-utilizing patients might benefit from targeted interventions and a primary care medical home. By analyzing health care utilization and identifying the needs of this chronic disease cohort, a comprehensive care program specifically for adolescents/young adults could be developed to address the needs of the patients and to correct the gaps in the current system.