A multidisciplinary audit of diabetes mellitus

A multidisciplinary audit evaluating the quality of care of patients with a primary diagnosis of diabetes mellitus was performed at St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The audit served to evaluate the treatment and care of diabetic patients, in both the inpatient and ambulatory care settings, and also to identify interaction problems involving patient care among physicians, nurses, dieticians, and social workers. Analysis of the data indicated that each discipline rendered adequate patient care. As other published audits have also indicated, this multidisciplinary audit revealed that documentation of services is frequently lacking and that communication between the involved disciplines was less than desirable. The audit disclosed a need to educate the hospital staff (medical and nursing) as to the role and function of the Social Services Department. As a result of this audit, definite measures have been instituted in each participating department in an attempt to further upgrade the quality of medical care and improve interdepartmental communication and cooperation.