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Article
Monitoring Prediabetes Screening in Two Primary Care Offices in Rural Appalachia: A Quality Improvement Process
Journal of Doctoral Nursing Practice
  • Rebecca T. Clark, East Tennessee State University
  • Christine M. Mullins, East Tennessee State University
  • Jean C. Hemphill, East Tennessee State University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2021
Description

Background: One-third of the U.S. population has prediabetes, but 90% remain undiagnosed because healthcare providers are not screening for this condition. Objective: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to monitor prediabetes screening and identification, and implement evidence-based recommendations including registered dietician referral. Methods: This project involved using an evidence-based screening tool to measure individual risk of prediabetes. Aggregate data was collected to evaluate screening implementation, evidence-based recommendations offered by providers, and assess patient risk factors. Results: The percentage of patients at risk for prediabetes was 41.3% (n = 111). The most frequent risks were identified as overweight, history of hypertension, family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and older age. Providers offered education on weight loss 68.5% (n = 76) and exercise 76.6% (n = 85) but referred 33.3% (n = 37) patients for nutrition education. The screening rates were 52.3% (n = 176) and 72.5% (n = 244) in clinics A and B respectively. Conclusions: A gap remains in using evidence-based recommendations to decrease risk of prediabetes. Prediabetes screening identified a greater percentage of persons in this population. Implications for Nursing: There is a need for consistent practice of evidence-based recommendations. This project set the benchmark for future efforts to educate, encourage, and measure providers successes.

Citation Information
Rebecca T. Clark, Christine M. Mullins and Jean C. Hemphill. "Monitoring Prediabetes Screening in Two Primary Care Offices in Rural Appalachia: A Quality Improvement Process" Journal of Doctoral Nursing Practice Vol. 14 Iss. 1 (2021) p. 64 - 73 ISSN: 2380-9418
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/jean-hemphill/83/