Measuring diabetes care in the national interdisciplinary primary care practice-based research network (NIPC-PBRN)

To assess diabetes care in a network of primary care practices that include pharmacist support by using a scoring system designed for the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Diabetes Recognition Program (DRP) measures.

Retrospective medical record review.

Subset of the National Interdisciplinary Primary Care Practice-Based Research Network (NIPC-PBRN).

A total of 1309 adults who were seen at 17 practices for an outpatient diabetes mellitus visit between January 1 and June 30, 2008.

Patient demographic data and NCQA DRP process and outcome measures (hemoglobin A(1c) [A1C], blood pressure, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL] level measurements; eye and foot examinations; nephropathy assessment; and smoking status and cessation advice or treatment) were recorded. Points for each measure were compiled, and practices achieving a sufficient score for NCQA recognition (≥ 75.0 points) were identified. Pharmacists were also surveyed regarding their services, participation in quality improvement initiatives, use of electronic medical records, and methods of data extraction. The relationships between DRP measures and quality improvement activities, pharmacist involvement in diabetes care, and use of electronic medical records were analyzed. The DRP outcome measures were satisfactory: mean ± SD A1C 7.6% ± 1.9%, LDL level 99.1 ± 35.1 mg/dl, and systolic and diastolic blood pressures 130.2 ± 18.1 and 74.4 ± 10.8 mm Hg, respectively. Five practices (29%) achieved a sufficient score for NCQA recognition. No significant relationships were noted between DRP measures and participation in quality improvement, type of clinical pharmacy services, or use of electronic medical records (p>0.05). In a regression analysis, only electronic medical record use was significantly related to DRP measures (p=0.02).

Diabetes care in the NIPC-PBRN appears satisfactory, but improvements are necessary if NCQA recognition is the goal. Use of electronic medical records was associated with better DRP measures.