4051.0: Tuesday, October 23, 2001 - Board 4

Abstract #25057

Effectiveness of incorporating a diabetes mellitus visit flowsheet in improving diabetic care in family practice

Cathy M. Burns, RN, MA, College of Medicine, Department of Community Health and Family Medicine, University of Florida, 706 SW 4th Ave., Gainesville, FL 32601, 352-392-4541 ext. 242, burns@chfm.health.ufl.edu and Jennifer Simmons, RN, MPH, UCLA.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a diabetes flowsheet in improving the providers' compliance to the diabetic disease management criteria identified by the American Diabetic Association (ADA) and the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). This flowsheet encourages the primary care provider to address specific treatment needs of the diabetic patient such as monitoring HbA1c levels, blood pressures, lipid profiles, foot exams, eye exams, and microalbumin urinalyses. Additionally, the flowsheet reminds the provider to present education about diet, weight loss, exercise, foot care, tobacco/alcohol use, and compliance to medication and self-monitoring. A Diabetes Mellitus flowsheet was developed utilizing ADA criteria and placed in the diabetic patient's chart. Providers were instructed in the use of the visit flowsheet and participated in a feedback session on the utility of this flowsheet to their patient care. A chart audit was performed within three months to identify evidence of disease management and evaluate compliance and improvement of care. This report provides examination of the audit results with initial baseline chart data before the visit flowsheet was introduced into the patient's chart and comparisons to ADA recommendations of care.

Learning Objectives: N/A

Keywords: Diabetes, Quality Improvement

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The 129th Annual Meeting of APHA