Diabetes Quality Improvement Tools and Resources

Diabetes Magnets

NMMRA has developed diabetes care elements refrigerator magnets, available in English and Spanish listing the recommended tests and exams that diabetes patients need routinely. Click here to view the magnets in English or Spanish, and click here to order free of charge.

Diabetes Eye Examination Report Form

The Diabetes Eye Examination Report is offered by the New Mexico Ophthalmological Society and can be downloaded from this organization's Web site. The intention of the form is to improve communication between the ophthalmologist or optometrist and the patient's primary care provider (PCP). The one-page, check-off format lends itself to quick documentation of the retinal exam findings and the plan of treatment. Continuity of care is improved when eye care professionals report this information to the PCP who is responsible for coordinating the diabetes management plan for the patient.

Chart Abstraction Form and Instructions

Performing Chart Abstractions at individual practices is another important step in NMMRA's overall site assessment. Through small random chart reviews of diabetes patients, specific opportunities for improvement can be identified. NMMRA can also assess current processes of care and offer strategies or interventions that when implemented should result in improvements in care. The Diabetes Data Collection Tool captures four of the key diabetes indicators of patient care (A1C testing, lipid profile testing, retinal eye exams and foot exams). This "snap shot" helps to guide practitioners in process improvement activities for their system.

New Mexico Health Care Takes On Diabetes

NMMRA is actively involved in New Mexico Health Care Takes On Diabetes (NMHCTOD), a broad community coalition of New Mexico's diabetes care professionals representing 22 health care organizations, including New Mexico health plans and the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH), with technical and administrative support from the American Diabetes Association. These guidelines, cooperatively developed by members of the New Mexico Health Care Takes On Diabetes coalition, are designed to quickly summarize elements that, at a minimum, should be considered in the care plan of most persons with diabetes. Guidelines and many other tools are available from New Mexico Health Care Takes On Diabetes.

MedQIC

The Medicare Quality Improvement Community (MedQIC) is a comprehensive Web-based resource of information on Medicare's national topics of focus. Funded by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), MedQIC helps health care professionals find and share resources that have been used successfully, steps to implement strategies, and numerous support materials to assist in transforming health care. MedQIC offers tools, articles and links to resources about how to address organizational culture, adopt health information technology, redesign care processes, and measure and report performance. Please visit MedQIC for additional tools and resources related to diabetes care.

For more information on NMMRA's projects in physician offices, contact Patricia Montoya, RN, MPA, NMMRA quality improvement manager, at (505) 998-9735.