Development of a Calculator to Determine Individualized Opioid Doses for Treatment of Vaso-Occlusive Episodes for Sickle Cell Disease in the Emergency Department

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a life-limiting multisystem disease primarily affecting individuals of African and Latinx descent. Its most common complication is painful vaso-occlusive episodes (VOEs), which is also the most common reason individuals with SCD seek care in the emergency department (ED). National guidelines recommend the use of standardized approaches to pain management in the ED, preferably using pain management plans tailored to each patient. However, no standard approach to developing these plans exists. This article describes the development of an opioid calculator to help SCD clinicians create individualized plans to better manage acute painful VOE in the ED setting.