Young adults with sickle cell disease
transitioning care fiom a children's
hospital to an adult academic
hospital expressed concerns during
their first inpatient admission about
understanding responsibilities and
expectations, and being able to navigate
an adult health care inpatient
and outpatient setting. Approximately
20 young adults with SCD
transition their care fiom a children's
hospital to an adult academic
hospital per year, and about 90% of
them expressed these concerns to
the inpatient nursing staff. To assist
in preparation for transition to an
adult health care setting, an interdisciplinary
team from a 500-bed academic
hospital partnered with staff
fiom a children's hospital in developing
a young adult transition program.
The transition program
focused on principles of self-management,
and expectations and
responsibilities as an adult.