Improving the quality of diabetes care in primary care practice

J Healthc Qual. 2004 Jul-Aug;26(4):14-21. doi: 10.1111/j.1945-1474.2004.tb00502.x.

Abstract

The quality of care delivered to patients with diabetes has an impact on long-term outcomes. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to examine the effect of a Diabetes Disease Management Program (DDMP) on compliance with recommended process measures of care in primary care practice settings. Certified diabetes nurse educators visited five participating primary care practices biweekly for 1 year providing education to physicians and office staff on standards for diabetes management and to patients regarding self-management. Among 208 participants, 85.5% had >2 HbA1cs, 93.6% had lipid profiles, and 100% had foot examinations. Improvements in HbA1c (9.0% to 7.7%) were observed. Implementation of DDMP effectively promotes compliance with care standards in primary care practices.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Diabetes Mellitus / therapy*
  • Disease Management
  • Female
  • Guideline Adherence
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Primary Health Care / standards*
  • Total Quality Management / methods
  • Total Quality Management / statistics & numerical data*
  • United States