School of Medicine and Health Sciences Poster Presentations
Sweet Care: Improving Diabetes Outpatient Quality Measurements with Implementation of EMR Based “Macros”
Poster Number
312
Document Type
Poster
Abstract Category
Quality Improvement
Keywords
Diabetes Mellitus, Macros, Primary Care, Electronic Medical Records
Publication Date
Spring 2018
Abstract
Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is an endemic chronic medical condition that requires a multispecialty approach, which much of the time is led by a primary care provider. Management of DM can be challenging due to the widespread effect of the disease on multiple organ systems in addition to the high level of morbidity that can result. Due to increased demands of seeing more patients, primary care physicians have ever decreasing time with their patients, yet patient’s disease state remains complex. Thus, it may not be difficult to overlook certain guidelines when managing patients with DM.
A set of quality measures has been established for the treatment of DM by the Ambulatory Care Quality Alliance [1]. The GW MFA currently tracks these diabetic quality measures for each resident’s panel of patients. To improve our quality measure compliance, we were interested in implementing a checklist to remind residents of the guidelines when seeing diabetic patients in clinic. We developed a macro within the EMR which would allow for proper documentation and checklist during diabetic clinic visits. The aim of this study was to increase quality measure reporting by 20% over 3 months through the initiation of macros.
Baseline data was obtained from our clinics quality measure data which included goals for the following: HgbA1c, blood pressure, cholesterol, immunizations, eye exam, and nephropathy laboratory work. Macros were created in the electronic medical record with national guidelines for screening and management of diabetics from the American Diabetic Association. These macros were shared with a sample of residents. The response to the use of macros was positive from the participating residents as they found it helpful in reminding themselves of the guidelines which are occasionally overlooked. The results of the intervention were favorable with 14% increase in quality measure reporting. Although we did not meet our initial goal of increase in 20%, the results were favorable. The next steps in this project are working closely with physicians who oversee the electronic medical records to extend the use of the macro to all physicians in the practice who manage diabetes. Lastly, we hope to streamline the macros in order for the quality measures to automatically be uploaded in order to provide easier documentation.
1. Vijan S. Type 2 Diabetes. Ann Intern Med. 2015;162:ITC1. doi: 10.7326/AITC201503030
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Open Access
1
Sweet Care: Improving Diabetes Outpatient Quality Measurements with Implementation of EMR Based “Macros”
Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is an endemic chronic medical condition that requires a multispecialty approach, which much of the time is led by a primary care provider. Management of DM can be challenging due to the widespread effect of the disease on multiple organ systems in addition to the high level of morbidity that can result. Due to increased demands of seeing more patients, primary care physicians have ever decreasing time with their patients, yet patient’s disease state remains complex. Thus, it may not be difficult to overlook certain guidelines when managing patients with DM.
A set of quality measures has been established for the treatment of DM by the Ambulatory Care Quality Alliance [1]. The GW MFA currently tracks these diabetic quality measures for each resident’s panel of patients. To improve our quality measure compliance, we were interested in implementing a checklist to remind residents of the guidelines when seeing diabetic patients in clinic. We developed a macro within the EMR which would allow for proper documentation and checklist during diabetic clinic visits. The aim of this study was to increase quality measure reporting by 20% over 3 months through the initiation of macros.
Baseline data was obtained from our clinics quality measure data which included goals for the following: HgbA1c, blood pressure, cholesterol, immunizations, eye exam, and nephropathy laboratory work. Macros were created in the electronic medical record with national guidelines for screening and management of diabetics from the American Diabetic Association. These macros were shared with a sample of residents. The response to the use of macros was positive from the participating residents as they found it helpful in reminding themselves of the guidelines which are occasionally overlooked. The results of the intervention were favorable with 14% increase in quality measure reporting. Although we did not meet our initial goal of increase in 20%, the results were favorable. The next steps in this project are working closely with physicians who oversee the electronic medical records to extend the use of the macro to all physicians in the practice who manage diabetes. Lastly, we hope to streamline the macros in order for the quality measures to automatically be uploaded in order to provide easier documentation.
1. Vijan S. Type 2 Diabetes. Ann Intern Med. 2015;162:ITC1. doi: 10.7326/AITC201503030