WISCH

Initiatives

Working to Improve Sickle Cell Healthcare (WISCH)

Two programs—the Sickle Cell Disease Newborn Screening Program (SCDNBSP) and the Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Demonstration Program (SCDTDP)—aimed at improving screening and follow-up for those who have tested positive for sickle cell disease and trait, and improving care across the lifespan.

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Status: Complete

SCDNBSP: June 2011 to May 2015. SCDTDP: September 2010 to September 2014.

  • Who: The SCDNBSP involved six teams comprised of federally qualified community health centers and other primary care sites, comprehensive sickle cell treatment centers and community-based organizations. The SCDTDP consisted of nine teams comprised of community centers, doctors, sickle cell departments, emergency room coordinators, parents and patients.
  • Funder: The project was funded by HRSA and in partnership with the Boston Medical Center and the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America.
  • Our Role: Facilitated a Breakthrough Series learning collaborative to apply quality improvement methodology to sickle cell disease care and education in a variety of settings. Led the development of expert-reviewed quality measures for sickle cell disease (e.g. acute care measures). We also served as the National Coordinating Center for SCDTDP and the National Coordinating and Evaluation Center for SCDNBSP. In these roles, we collected, monitored and distributed best practice data and findings, identified protocols for the treatment of sickle cell disease and related complications, and identified and disseminated educational materials related to sickle cell disease.