A framework for diabetes documentation and quality management in Germany: 10 years of experience with DPV

The DPV approach for quality management and documentation of diabetes in Germany consists of three basic modules: the diabetes documentation software DPV, semi-annual benchmarking for diabetes units (QC-DPV), and a data pool for diabetes research (DPV-SCIENT). The documentation system is available for general practices as well as for hospitals, and it supports the daily routine work of the diabetes team. The system covers a superset for all important data sets of quality initiatives in Germany. Longitudinal analyses of quality indicators related to diabetes are integrated. Twice a year, nation-wide benchmarking for pediatric diabetic units are performed, evaluating the outcome of their diabetes therapy. An improvement in completeness of control examinations could be observed during the last years in QC-DPV. The DPV-SCIENT data pool contains about 251000 single examinations of 21000 patients with diabetes. At least 53% of all patients with Type 1 diabetes in Germany who are less than 20 years of age are documented in DPV-SCIENT.