Healthcare Effectiveness

Frances Pittman

I currently work on a surgical unit with a major hospital system in the United States. There are several ways you can gather information about the number of diabetics in your practice and determine how many meet all components of HEDIS (Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set) comprehensive diabetes care. One approach is to utilize electronic health records (EHRs) to identify patients with diabetes and track their progress. According to the American Medical Informatics Association (2019), EHRs provide a wealth of data that can be used to assess patient populations and measure quality of care. By conducting a search within your EHR system using specific diagnostic codes or keywords related to diabetes, you can generate a list of patients with diabetes in my practice. 

Another way I can gather data for diabetic patients on my unit is to collaborate with the quality improvement department or diabetic educator can provide valuable insights into the number of diabetics in your practice and their adherence to HEDIS measures. Quality improvement programs often involve regular data collection and analysis to monitor and improve patient care. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (2020), these initiatives promote evidence-based practices and facilitate the achievement of quality benchmarks.  

Previously I was employed as a nurse in a small private primary care practice without an electronic health record (EHR) system, there are still several strategies you can employ to gather information about diabetic patients and assess their adherence to quality measures. Although manual charting has been the historical practice, transitioning to a more organized and structured approach can help you meet the physicians' inquiries about quality incentives, specifically concerning patients with diabetes. 

A manual registry specifically for patients with diabetes. According to Solberg et al. (2017), manual registries can effectively track patient populations and measure quality indicators. Create a list of all patients diagnosed with diabetes in the practice and maintain it in a centralized location. Regularly update the registry to capture new cases and changes in patients' conditions. 

Perform regular chart audits to assess the level of care provided to diabetic patients. This process involves reviewing patient charts for documentation of key diabetes care components, such as HbA1c levels, blood pressure measurements, lipid profiles, and foot examinations. By conducting chart audits, you can identify gaps in documentation and measure adherence to quality measures. The American Diabetes Association (ADA, 2019) emphasizes the importance of documentation in providing evidence-based diabetes care. 

 

American Diabetes Association. (2019). Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2019. Diabetes Care, 42(Supplement 1), S1-S193. 

American Medical Informatics Association. (2019). Electronic Health Records. Retrieved from  https://www.amia.org/inside-amia/working-groups/electronic-health-recordsLinks to an external site.  

Solberg, L. I., Crain, A. L., Sperl-Hillen, J. M., Hroscikoski, M. C., Engebretson, K. I., & O'Connor, P. J. (2017). Care quality and implementation of the chronic care model: A quantitative study. Annals of Family Medicine, 15(6), 537-544.