Sickle Cell Research at the School of Nursing

Paula Tanabe shares insights on sickle cell care, teamwork and leadership

Paula Tanabe, the Laurel Chadwick Distinguished Professor in the School of Nursing and Professor of Medicine, seated on stone wall in front of the school.

This is a summary of a story originally on Duke University School of Nursing.

Sickle cell disease occurs with the production of abnormally shaped red blood cells that resemble a sickle. These cells can obstruct blood flow, leading to painful episodes known as sickle cell crises, organ damage and other serious complications.

The disease predominantly affects individuals of African and Caribbean descent but can occur in any ethnic group. The complex genetic blood disorder affects “100,000 predominantly African Americans, mainly in the United States,” according to School of Nursing researchers.

Paula Tanabe, the Laurel Chadwick Distinguished Professor in the School of Nursing and Professor of Medicine, has dedicated much of her career to sickle cell research — from pain management to global interventions.

In particular, Tanabe focuses on improving emergency department care for individuals experiencing vaso-occlusive crisis, a painful complication of sickle cell disease that occurs when sickled red blood cells block small blood vessels.

Tanabe advocates for the timely delivery of pain medicines and the development of individualized pain plans. “I hope one day individuals with sickle cell disease can expect excellent treatment of pain in the emergency department, as well as being cared for with trust and respect,” said Tanabe.

One study Tanabe co-authored with colleagues found that the pressures faced by emergency departments to reduce the length of patient stays could run counter to the clinical goal of providing timely pain relief and concluded that “it is also important to determine which protocol led to more timely pain relief.”

As part of Women’s History Month, Tanabe emphasized the importance of collaboration and emulating the legacy of women in leadership at the School of Nursing: former deans Mary Champagne, Catherine Gillis and Marion Broome.

“Team success leads to better health outcomes and quality of life,” said Tanabe.

To learn more about School of Nursing faculty research on sickle cell disease, go to School of Nursing.