Working to Improve Sickle Cell Healthcare (WISCH) is NICHQ’s portfolio of projects focused on improving the quality of care for individuals with sickle cell disease across the lifespan. These projects include the Sickle Cell Disease Newborn Screening Program and the Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Demonstration Program, both of which are funded through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Demonstration Program
NICHQ works in a unique consortium with the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America and the Boston Medical Center to improve care and outcomes for individuals with sickle cell disease. NICHQ serves as the National Coordinating Center that organizes and oversees demonstration and educational programs designed to establish effective ways to prevent and treat this chronic disease. The National Coordinating Center also coordinates, monitors and distributes data and best practices across all grantee network teams and nationwide.
Sickle Cell Disease Newborn Screening Program
The Newborn Screening Program operates alongside the Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Demonstration Program. This program aims to improve follow-up of those who are detected through newborn screening to have sickle cell disease, sickle cell trait and other hemoglobin disorders. The consortium will organize the regional newborn screening grantee network teams and coordinate, monitor and distribute data and best practices across all network teams and nationwide.
