Recent News about The MED

Diggs-Kraus Sickle Cell Launches Computer Based Education Program

Pat Adams Graves, director of the Sickle Cell Center, announced the recent launch of the computer-based education (CBE) program designed to educate nurses, physicians, medical students, and non-medical personnel on Sickle Cell Disease. She said the team developing the program consisted of members of the Diggs-Kraus Sickle Cell Clinic, the IT department, nursing administration, and training and development.

“Well-trained health care providers are essential to the care of our patients at The MED. We serve well over 400 active Sickle Cell patients in both ambulatory and hospital settings. The disease is a catastrophic, painful, genetic blood disorder that affects one out of 350 African-Americans,” Graves explained.

Due to a single mistake in the gene that codes for hemoglobin, Sickle Cell red blood cells are shaped like a crescent and are sticky, stiff, and have a very short life-span that results in anemia. These cells cannot traverse blood vessels and, therefore, cause blockages, tremendous pain due to lack of oxygen in the muscles, stroke, kidney failure, and problems with infections.

The pain event, called a ‘crisis,’ occurs unpredictably several times per year in most and will last about a week. The treatment for the many complications associated with Sickle Cell disease require a comprehensive approach that includes quick administration of intravenous pain medication to reduce suffering, life-saving antibiotics, and blood transfusions.

Graves also expressed a call to action for MED employees. “Employees can help patients who suffer from Sickle Cell by donating blood. Blood is especially needed from African-American donors. Employees can use CBE training to learn to recognize symptoms of Sickle Cell, the latest treatment options, and how to better help patients who suffer from this devastating disease. Call the Diggs- Kraus Sickle Cell Center at 545-8535 for more information about the CBE training program,” she said.

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