title: Chart Card: feasibility of a tool for improving emergency department care in sickle cell disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) are concerned with emergency department care, including time to treatment and staff attitudes and knowledge. Providers are concerned about rapid access to patient information and SCD treatment protocols. A software application that stores and retrieves encrypted personal medical information on a plastic credit card-sized Chart Card was designed.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the applicability and feasibility of the Chart Card on patient satisfaction with emergency department care and provider accessibility to patient information and care protocols.
  
  
  METHODS
  One-half of 44 adults (aged -18 years) and 50 children with SCD were randomized to either the Chart Card or usual care. Patient satisfaction was surveyed pre and post implementation of the Chart Card program, and emergency department staff was surveyed about familiarity with SCD treatment protocols.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patient satisfaction with emergency department care and efficacy in health care increased post Chart Card implementation. Providers valued immediate access to patient information and SCD treatment guidelines. The technology has potential for application in the treatment of other illnesses in other settings.
authors.affiliation: Children's Hospital and Research Center Oakland, 747 52nd St, Oakland, CA 94609, USA.
authors.forename: Lynne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Neumayr
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pringle
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Giles
authors.forename: Keith C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Quirolo
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Paulukonis
authors.forename: Elliott P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Vichinsky
authors.forename: Marsha J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Treadwell
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000628:therapy*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012984:Software; D014584:User-Computer Interface