Sickle cell disease (SCD), while considered a rare disease, is the most common genetic blood disorder and affects approximately 100,000 Americans, primarily of African and Hispanic descent. Individuals with SCD can experience multiple life-threatening problems during their lifetime. Much of their acute care is delivered in the emergency department (ED), yet patients often relate poor experiences in this setting. In recognition of the need to improve the care offered to patients with SCD in the ED, the American College of Emergency Physicians in collaboration with multiple public, private and professional partners have created the Emergency Department Sickle Cell Care Coalition (EDSC³).  Its purpose is to provide a national forum dedicated to the improvement of the emergency care of patients with SCD in the United States. The EDSC³ primary objective is to promote evidence-based emergency care and optimize provider-patient-family communication in the delivery of the emergency care for patients with SCD. The EDSC³ will focus on the following:

• Research: The EDSC³ will support the dissemination of research findings  to local, regional and national stakeholders;
• Education: The EDSC³ will support the education of ED providers and patients regarding the appropriate management of SCD-related pain and other complications;
• Advocacy: The EDSC³ will support advocacy efforts directed towards appropriate federal, state and local governments, and professional organizations;
• Community outreach: The EDSC³ will support outreach and educational efforts to patients and families working to develop community partners; and
• Health care performance: The EDSC³ will support the development of appropriate metrics to improve the emergency care of patients with SCD. 

Participating Organizations:

• American College of Emergency Physicians*
• American Academy of Pediatrics
• American Society of Hematology
• American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Emergency Nurses Association
• Health Resources and Services Administration
• The Joint Commission
• National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
• Sickle Cell Disease Association of America
• Sickle Cell Foundation of Tennessee

*Providing organizational support