Sickle Cell Abuse is Defined as:
The refusal of care to a Sickle Cell patient usually by-but not limited to-those in healthcare.
The neglect is usually for arbitrary reasons-emotions, stigma, racial bias-that is rooted in miseducation instead of science-based care, patient knowledge or experiences.
HOW DOCTOR'S CONTRIBUTE
1:
Label patient as a drug addict or drug seeker without proper assessment
2:
Refusal of pain management based on their comfort, rather than the patient's needs
3:
Doubt patient is in a REAL crisis by forcing them to "Prove" their pain is real
4:
Refusing to read patient's charts, speak with their primary care physician, or listen to patient's experiences
HOW PHARMACISTS CONTRIBUTE
1:
Refusing to release pain medications in the hospital because they feel" It's not needed" based on the other medications being ordered
2:
Reporting or "Flagging" patients as "Addicts" based on the pain medications that are prescribed to them
3:
"Intervening" in the name of "Opioid Abuse" by calling the doctor or insurance company when they feel the pain medication provided as "too much for this illness"
4:
Purposefully withholding pain medication because it's being filled "too often"
HOW PHARMACISTS CONTRIBUTE
1:
Refusing to release pain medications in the hospital because they feel" It's not needed" based on the other medications being ordered
2:
Reporting or "Flagging" patients as "Addicts" based on the pain medications that are prescribed to them
3:
"Intervening" in the name of "Opioid Abuse" by calling the doctor or insurance company when they feel the pain medication provided as "too much for this illness"
4:
Purposefully withholding pain medication because it's being filled "too often"
HOW ADMINISTRATORS CONTRIBUTE
1:
Don't have a system that reprimands those who participate and/or perpetuate abuse against SCD patients
2:
Continue to create and enforce protocols and policies that unfairly target SCD patients overall care and pain management needs
3:
Put the burden of ensuring proper care on the patient instead of making it the priority of the hospital staff
4:
Refuse to recognize the special needs of SCD patients resulting in an overall lack of support of both patients and staff
HOW NURSE'S CONTRIBUTE
1:
Refuse to manage patients pain because they are "uncomfortable" with orders
2:
Sabotage a patients care by lying about or refusing to give them pain medication that has been ordered by their doctor
3:
Delay giving pain medicine because the "patient isn't in that much pain"
HOW TO REPORT SICKLE CELL ABUSE
RECORD:
Audio, Visual, and/or Written accounts of abuse. Always note the Name, Places, Times, and Details
COMPLAIN:
File a WRITTEN complaint with the hospital
REPORT:
File a WRITTEN report to State Medical Board, Hospital Accreditation Office, and Insurance Carriers
POST:
Go to LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to post the complaint of said hospital and the individuals involved