Experiences of Pediatric Patients With Sickle Cell Disease in Rural Emergency Departments.
BACKGROUND
The aims of this study were to describe guardian perceptions of the experiences of a sample of youth with sickle cell disease (SCD) in rural emergency departments (EDs) with a focus on overall patient satisfaction and characteristics of care.


METHODS
Guardians of 139 children with SCD (0 to 17 y) seen at a rural pediatric SCD clinic completed a survey concerning their children's ED experiences in the past 6 months, including information about ED wait times, quality of communications and interactions with the ED health care providers, pain management, perceptions of speed of care, and overall satisfaction.


RESULTS
About 41% of guardians reported that their child visited the ED in the past 6 months. Guardians reported moderate satisfaction with ED care. About 25% of those who visited the ED indicated that health care providers did not spend enough time with them and their children did not receive speedy care. Shorter ED wait times and higher ratings of speed of care predicted higher satisfaction.


CONCLUSIONS
Families of youth with SCD are experiencing longer wait times in rural EDs which contribute to dissatisfaction with care. Efforts are needed to develop strategies to reduce ED wait times and improve speed of care which may improve outcomes following ED care.
*Department of Psychology †Department of Pediatrics, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC ‡Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
Kristen J
KJ
Alston
Cecelia R
CR
Valrie
Christy
C
Walcott
Tamara D
TD
Warner
Beng
B
Fuh
D000293:Adolescent; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010372:Pediatrics; D011379:Prognosis; D019035:Rural Health Services; D013997:Time Factors
D000700:Analgesics