Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a common inherited red blood cell disorder characterized by multi-organ dysfunction, including acute and chronic pain syndromes, cardiopulmonary disease, stroke, venous thrombosis, and reduced life expectancy. Patients with SCD have historically been subject to disparity in healthcare due to a lack of healthcare provider awareness and medical racism, as the majority of patients with SCD are visible minorities. In Ontario, quality standards have been developed to address these inequities and promote prompt care delivery for SCD patients presenting to the hospital; however, uptake of these care metrics in routine practice is variable. Large tertiary care academic centers have established protocols to guide the recognition and management of acute SCD-related complications; however, most patients seek care from community hospitals where SCD care pathways may be lacking.

Our study aims to better understand the management and quality of care provided to patients with SCD within the local community by measuring quality care metrics defined by established guidelines. We will also compare the standard of care for patients managed at smaller community centers to those at academic centers, namely LHSC, which has established formal hemoglobinopathy programs.