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A survey of the perceptions, knowledge, and use of A1C values by home care patients and nurses
Stephen M Setter1, Cynthia F Corbett2, R K Campbell3
1The Department of Pharmacotherapy, College of Pharmacy, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington (Drs. Setter and Gates)
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to provide baseline information on the perceptions, use, and knowledge of hemoglobin A1C (A1C) values among home healthcare nurses and patients.
Methods:
A convenience sample (44 patients, 26 nurses) from a Medicare-certified home care agency was surveyed using an investigator-developed demographic and knowledge questionnaire. Data collected from telephone interviews (patients), written questionnaires (nurses), and medical record reviews were analyzed using descriptive methods.
Results:
Most of the home care nurses correctly identified the American Diabetes Association's recommendation for target A1C values; however, nurses rarely contact the physician to obtain A1C results. Nurses do not routinely teach patients about A1C values and inconsistently use A1C values to plan care for their patients with diabetes. Most patients said that they had never had an A1C test performed, and most did not recall the nurse providing any teaching about A1C.
Conclusions:
Education related to target A1C values is needed. Methods to increase the availability of A1C results in the home care setting should be explored. The importance and clinical utility of A1C values need to be more effectively conveyed to both nurses and patients in the home care setting.
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