Treatment Advances in Sickle Cell Disease: Tips for Correctional Providers
Richard Kosierowski, MD, Director of Oncology Services for Corizon Health, Inc.
The management of patients with sickle cell disease is complex and requires knowledge of the disease’s pathophysiology and its common complications. In correctional facilities, these patients tend to have less severe disease as many patients with severe disease succumb in childhood. Nonetheless, adults with sickle cell disease can present with a myriad of compromised end organs, which has implications for their medical management. Essentially every organ is at risk for a complication from sickle cell disease. The type of sickle cell disease can be predictive as to the organs at most risk. High-risk patients need more intense intervention. During the natural history of sickle cell disease, patients can anticipate dysfunction in renal, hepatic, cardiac, central nervous and genitourinary systems as well as bone. The vaso-occlusive and hemolytic episodes that characterizes the disease are a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Blood transfusion remains a mainstay of sickle cell therapy but transfusion therapy can generate its own problems. New options that are currently being investigated, mainly in children, include stem cell transplants and gene therapy. Hydroxyurea remains a standard therapy but newer medications are available for select patients.
Attend this webinar to enhance your patient care.
Educational Objectives
• Outline the clinical states that result from sickling
• Describe the consequences of vaso-occlusive and hemolytic episodes of sickle cell disease
• Review transfusion therapy and its complications
About the presenter
Richard Kosierowski, MD is the director of oncology services for Corizon Health, Inc. His past appointments include medical director of the North Penn Cancer Program of North Penn Hospital and Fox Chase Cancer Center, and medical director for Prudential Healthcare and Aetna US insurance. After 20 years in community oncology, he transitioned to correctional medicine, establishing a statewide chemotherapy treatment center and on-site hospice within a Pennsylvania prison. He currently performs oncology telemedicine for the state Departments of Corrections in Michigan and Missouri. Dr. Kosierowski is board certified in internal medicine and medical oncology and a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. He has served as a site surveyor for the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer.
Webinar Fee:
$59, includes access to the webinar recording and CE credit – 1.0 hours for ACCME, ADA, ANCC, APA and CCHP. If you would like a copy of the presentation and info on how to claim CE credit, please send an email to education@ncchc.org.