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quality reports : Clinical Quality : Medical Group Performance

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.

Click on a column heading to put the results below in order.
Medical Group	Comparison	Rate	Rating
Benchmarks:    Nat'l Average    90th Percentile    MA Rate		84.8% 89.8% 91.1%
Atrius Health, Inc., Harvard Vanguard Kenmore Go to Group's Website		94.0%
Click on a medical group to view all measures	MA Rate (91.1%)

Select another measure: Colorectal Cancer Screening Tests (Ages 50 to 80) Using Image Testing for Lower Back Pain Only When Appropriate Spirometry Test for COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) Depression: Short-term Medication Depression: Long-term Medication Yearly Follow-up to Monitor Patients on Long-Term ACE Inhibitors or ARBs Yearly Follow-up to Monitor Patients on Long-Term Anticonvulsant Medication Yearly Follow-up to Monitor Patients on Long-Term Diuretics Yearly Follow-up to Monitor Patients on Long-Term Medication Asthma Care: Medications for Children (Ages 5 to 17) Asthma Care: Medications for Adults (Ages 18 to 56) Cholesterol Screening Test for Cardiovascular Disease Diabetes Care for Adults: HbA1c Test Diabetes Care for Adults: Cholesterol (LDL-C) Screening Test Diabetes Care for Adults: Tests to Monitor Kidney Disease Pediatric Care: Well Visits for Children 0 to 15 Months of Age Pediatric Care: Well Visits for Children Ages 3 to 6 Pediatric Care: Well Visits for Adolescents Ages 12 to 21 Pediatric Care: Correct Antibiotic Use for Upper Respiratory Infections Pediatric Care: Follow-up with Children Starting Medication for ADHD Women's Health: Breast Cancer Screening (Ages 40 to 69) Women's Health: Cervical Cancer Screening (Ages 21 to 64) Women's Health: Chlamydia Screening (Ages 16 to 20) Women's Health: Chlamydia Screening (Ages 21 to 24)

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...

• 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

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