We currently have a patient who has sickle cell disease, in vaso-occlusive crisis, who is one of Jehovah's Witnesses, and is refusing transfusion. Other that Hydroxyurea, fluids, and pain management, is there anything else we could do for transfusion alternatives? I'm assuming that EPO is a bad idea, in that it would produce more red cells with Hgb S. Thanks for your help.
Terri Bostock, Saint Francis Hospital