OasisLMS

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is the most common inherited hemoglobinopathy in the U.S., affecting about 100,000 individuals. With 1 in 365 African Americans and 1 in 16,300 Hispanic Americans impacted, SCD is a significant public health concern. This webinar will cover the pathophysiology and epidemiology of SCD, including its genetic basis, systemic complications from vaso-occlusion, and acute pain crises—the main cause of healthcare utilization in this population. The importance of newborn screening, implemented across all 50 states, will also be highlighted. 

The webinar will then focus on newer pharmacologic treatments for SCD, exploring drug classifications, mechanisms of action, clinical uses, appropriate patient populations, and side effect profiles. Medications such as Crizanlizumab and Endari will be discussed in depth. Voxelotor, recently withdrawn by Pfizer due to safety concerns, will also be examined to highlight the importance of post-approval monitoring and its implications for nursing practice. 

Nursing considerations will include medication administration routes, managing and mitigating adverse reactions, patient and family education, and developing effective teaching plans. The session will conclude with a brief look at the future of SCD treatment, including emerging advances in gene therapy. 

Learning Highlights: 

• Understand the foundational science and clinical burden of Sickle Cell Disease. 

• Analyze and compare new pharmacologic treatments, including benefits and safety concerns. 

• Apply nursing strategies for medication administration and patient education. 

• Explore future therapeutic directions, including gene therapy.