printer friendly view
quality reports : Clinical Quality
Quality Insights:
Clinical Quality in Primary Care
Diabetes Care for Adults:
HbA1c -- Poor Blood Sugar Control (Lower score is better)
Healthcare quality measure: This measure looks the adult members (18-75 years old) of the state’s five largest managed care health plans, who have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes and poorly controlled blood sugar (more than 9%).
Reasons for this measure:
Diabetes is a serious disease. If it is not well controlled, it can lead to death or disabilities such as vision problems, kidney failure, or amputations of the foot or leg. Diabetes can also cause problems in a woman’s pregnancy. Almost 21 million adults in the United States have diabetes. However, an estimated three million Americans have diabetes which has not yet been diagnosed.
People with diabetes need to maintain near-normal (standard) blood sugar levels (less than 7%). This blood sugar level is measured by an HbA1c blood test, which people should have at least once a year. When blood sugar levels are under control, people with diabetes feel well and stay healthy for many years. Levels greater than 9% suggest that the blood sugar is not under control.
Costs are high to treat diabetes and its problems. These include “indirect costs,” such as when employees miss work because of health problems. In the U.S., these costs are about $58 billion each year. “Direct costs” of diabetes include doctor’s visits, screening tests, and medications. These total about $116 billion each year.
Ways your doctor can help...
- Teach you about diabetes. This includes problems that can happen if your blood sugar levels get out of control.
- Teach you ways to control blood sugar levels. This includes eating the right foods and being active each day.
- Talk with you about complications (problems) and ways to notice them.
- Ask you to have eye exams and other tests, which measure if your diabetes is under control.
- As needed, refer you to a dietician, diabetes educator, or specialist who can help in your diabetes care.
Ways you can help...
- Get a HbA1c test each year. This measures whether your diabetes is under control.
- 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. A healthy diet is one of the best ways you can control diabetes.
- Be active each day. This might include taking walks, going to a gym, or doing other types of exercise.
- Know that other diseases (such as high blood pressure) can make diabetes worse.
- Go to the doctor at least once a year. Some people with diabetes see their doctors more often, maybe once every 3 to 4 months. Make sure to keep all your appointments, even when you are feeling well.
Ways to learn more...
- Massachusetts Guidelines for Adult and Diabetes Care 2007
- Massachusetts Health Promotion Clearinghouse: Diabetes Helpfinder Resource Directory
- Massachusetts Health Promotion Clearinghouse: Diabetes: Know Your Blood Sugar Numbers
- Massachusetts Health Promotion Clearinghouse: If You Have Diabetes, Know Your Cholesterol Numbers
- Massachusetts Health Promotion Clearinghouse: If You Have Diabetes, You are at High Risk for Heart Attack & Stroke
- National Diabetes Education Program Fact Sheet: The Link Between Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease
- National Diabetes Education Program: Guiding Principles for Diabetes Care
- National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse: Am I at Risk For Type 2 Diabetes?
- National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse: Directory of Diabetes Organizations
- Take Charge of Your Diabetes: 6. Kidney Problems
|
|