# Implementation of a Sickle Cell Enhanced Novel Care Network in South Carolina (iSCENSC)

> **NIH NIH U01** · MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA · 2020 · $643,411

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is recognized as a significant health disparity in the United States due to the number
of patients affected, the paucity of available providers, disease stigmatization, and a lack of treatment options
for affected individuals (4). In certain regions of the US, these issues are further worsened by a large percentage
of affected patients living in rural regions with limited access to care, lower socioeconomic status, and fewer
funding options (5, 6). South Carolina (SC) is a prime example of state that is tremendously under-resourced to
treat individuals living with SCD. State-level engagement of pediatric hematologists, managed care
organizations, patients, and community foundations resulted in formation of the South Carolina-Sickle Cell (SC2)
statewide network designed to increase access to evidence-based care for all individuals living with SCD and to
improve their clinical outcomes through access to a SCD medical home (Spoke) connected to a regional specialty
care center (Hub). This approach harnesses the state’s resources to improve care for individuals with SCD,
utilize the strengths of partnering hospital systems, and use a technology based approach to extend care to rural
areas. This project, iSCENSC (Implementation of a Sickle Cell Enhanced Novel Care Network in South Carolina)
is designed to evaluate intervention effectiveness for achieving full implementation of the SC2 network and to
determine if the hub and spokes model of care increases access to quality care for individuals with SCD and
produces findings sufficient to identify replicable methods for optimal care enrichment especially in rural
populations. Specific Aims are: 1. Perform a systematic needs assessment in three target regions currently
involved in SC2 (Midlands, Pee Dee and Lowcountry) to assess the gap between current and SCD best practices
for adolescent and adult SCD patients and to identify care delivery issues associated with disease-specific care
primary care, acute care management, and care coordination. 2: Engage all relevant stakeholders
(patients/caregivers, providers, SC2 partners) to begin building capacity for the conduct and assessment of
targeted interventions to increase implementation readiness within three SC regions and partnering health
systems and to further inform Phase II implementation strategies. 3: Initiate comparative effectiveness study
using an interrupted time series, multi-sector, multi-modal design including specific implementation intervention
strategies. iSCENSC will be the first multilevel, multicenter implementation science study in adolescents and
adults with SCD aiming to achieve the outcome of a statewide SCD network. We propose the first large study of
barriers inhibiting adoption and use of NHLBI SCD Guideline and of effectiveness of dissemination and
implementation strategies in closing existing guideline-to-practice gaps and reducing longstanding disparities in
SCD treatment, policy, and funding...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9961649
- **Project number:** 5U01HL133990-05
- **Recipient organization:** MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
- **Principal Investigator:** Cathy Lee Melvin
- **Activity code:** U01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $643,411
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2016-08-05 → 2022-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9961649

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9961649, Implementation of a Sickle Cell Enhanced Novel Care Network in South Carolina (iSCENSC) (5U01HL133990-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9961649. Licensed CC0.

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