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STOP SICKLE CELL ABUSE

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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

DOCTOR'S

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"

PHARMACISTS

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 

ADMINISTRATORS

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"

NURSE'S

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

REPORT
Contact

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#STOPSICKLECELLABUSE

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