title: Five-year retrospective study of hospitalization and treatment of patients with sickle cell anemia.
abstract: Examination of computerized hospital records of 463 admissions of 255 patients with sickle cell anemia was made. Patients ranged in age from infancy to 65, with a mean age of 17-7 years. Only 119 of the 255 patients were male, but 54% of the admissions were for males. Most patients were admitted to pediatrics and internal medicine services. Fluids and blood derivatives were given in over 60% of cases and anti-infection drugs in 40%. Mean hospital stay was 14.75 days, twice the mean for other patients. Thirty-six percent of the patients were admitted more than once. Mortality was 1.3% for the 463 admissions. Blue Cross or Medicaid accounted for payment in 51% of admissions. This information can be helpful to health planners providing comprehensive services for sickle cell patients.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006748:Hospital Departments; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007350:Insurance, Hospitalization; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014481:United States