quality reports : Clinical Quality


Quality Insights: Clinical Quality in Primary Care

Diabetes Care for Adults:
Cholesterol (LDL-C) Screening Test

Healthcare quality measure: This measure looks at adult patients, age 18-75, who have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. It shows the percent of those patients who had a serum cholesterol level (LDL-C) screening test during the past year.

Reasons for this measure: Diabetes is a serious disease. If it is not well controlled, it can lead to disabilities such vision problems, kidney failure, or amputations of the foot or leg. It may also cause death from stroke or heart disease. Almost 21 million adults in the United States have diabetes.

Most adults with diabetes have some type of cholesterol problem. Doctors need to screen (test for) these problems in order to prevent other diseases, reduce disabilities, and provide quality care.

Ways your doctor can help...

  • Teach you about diabetes. This includes ways you can control diabetes with food and exercise. It also includes how to watch for early signs of diabetes complications (problems).
  • Ask you to have a serum cholesterol screening (LDL-C) test each year. Your doctor might also want you to have a complete cholesterol profile which measures total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides.
  • Discuss foods to help lower LDL cholesterol. Your doctor may suggest that you eat less saturated fats and cholesterol.
  • Ask you to have eye exams and other tests that measure if your diabetes is under control.
  • May prescribe medications if needed, explain how they work, and teach you how to take them.
  • As needed, refer you to a dietician, diabetes educator, or medical specialist who can help in your diabetes care.

Ways you can help...

  • Make a diabetes plan with your doctor. This plan should include what foods to eat, how often to exercise, and when to have appointments.
  • Eat the foods you are supposed to eat. This is one of the best ways you to control your diabetes.
  • Be active each day. This might include taking walks, going to a gym, or doing other types of exercise.
  • Get all the tests your doctor wants you to have. This includes an LDL-C and other tests that measure how well your diabetes is under control.
  • Know that other diseases (such as high blood pressure) can make diabetes problems worse.
  • Go to the doctor at least once a year. Some people with diabetes see their doctors even more often, maybe once every 3 to 4 months. Make sure to keep all appointments, even when you are feeling well.

Ways to learn more...

Click here to search for your doctor's medical group results
or to compare measures across medical groups.

 

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