Date of Presentation
5-4-2023 12:00 AM
College
School of Osteopathic Medicine
Poster Abstract
Early detection and treatment of diabetic retinopathy (DR) is crucial in preventing vision loss and blindness in vulnerable diabetics. With around 7.7 million patients having DR, and the target population being 20 -75 years old, the potential for improving their quality of life is substantial (WHO, 2022). Despite the importance of timely and routine eye exams, 45% of diabetic patients do not complete an exam despite physicians recommendations (Lu, 2014). This project aims to standardize eye exams, improve process flow, and improve patient understanding of the urgency of timely and comprehensive eye exams for DR. Multiple PDSA cycles and QI process flow interventions were utilized to improve the quality and holistic aspect of care delivered by family medicine physicians. Gaps in the practice were mitigated by creating and implementing a process flow that has a clear designation of responsibilities using a SMART aim, a SWOT analysis, and fishbone diagrams. Project implementation improved the patient-physician relationship and trust, strengthened patient knowledge of DR, and interprofessional team dynamics. A limitation discovered was a difficult EMR system. With the removal of the current physical fax aspect, a new EMR system will allow for cross-talk and further interconnectedness between providers and patients. On a larger scale, this project can be implemented to other family medicine practices to improve the level and holistic quality of care delivered to diabetic patients nationwide.
Keywords
Diabetic Retinopathy, Eye Diseases, Diabetes Complications, General Practitioners, Holistic Health
Disciplines
Diagnosis | Endocrine System Diseases | Eye Diseases | Family Medicine | Medicine and Health Sciences | Ophthalmology | Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms | Primary Care | Quality Improvement
Document Type
Poster
Included in
Diagnosis Commons, Endocrine System Diseases Commons, Eye Diseases Commons, Family Medicine Commons, Ophthalmology Commons, Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Commons, Primary Care Commons, Quality Improvement Commons
Improving Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Practices with QI Methodology in Family Medicine Offices
Early detection and treatment of diabetic retinopathy (DR) is crucial in preventing vision loss and blindness in vulnerable diabetics. With around 7.7 million patients having DR, and the target population being 20 -75 years old, the potential for improving their quality of life is substantial (WHO, 2022). Despite the importance of timely and routine eye exams, 45% of diabetic patients do not complete an exam despite physicians recommendations (Lu, 2014). This project aims to standardize eye exams, improve process flow, and improve patient understanding of the urgency of timely and comprehensive eye exams for DR. Multiple PDSA cycles and QI process flow interventions were utilized to improve the quality and holistic aspect of care delivered by family medicine physicians. Gaps in the practice were mitigated by creating and implementing a process flow that has a clear designation of responsibilities using a SMART aim, a SWOT analysis, and fishbone diagrams. Project implementation improved the patient-physician relationship and trust, strengthened patient knowledge of DR, and interprofessional team dynamics. A limitation discovered was a difficult EMR system. With the removal of the current physical fax aspect, a new EMR system will allow for cross-talk and further interconnectedness between providers and patients. On a larger scale, this project can be implemented to other family medicine practices to improve the level and holistic quality of care delivered to diabetic patients nationwide.