papers

Evaluation of an innovative program to improve outcomes among military beneficiaries with diabetes

Nurs Econ 33:271-280.

University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, TX, USA; Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, USA

Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) are a challenging population and the goals of maintaining a HgA1c of 7 or less, and limiting emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations, are not new. The Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) is a practice model mandated by the U.S. Air Force. The primary objective of this study was to quantify and evaluate the effects of PCMH implementation on one group of chronic disease patients, those with T2DM, using the outcomes of HgA1c, ED visits, and hospitalized days. A secondary objective was to use PCMH evaluations to explain outcome variations and then help clinic sites recognize areas of strength and weaknesses so they could continue care improvement efforts. Support was found for the effect of PCMH implementation on HgA1c of patients with T2DM seen in military clinics. Support was mixed for PCMH and its positive effect on hospitalized days and ED visits of patients with T2DM.

PMID: 26625580