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Making Systems Changes for Better Diabetes CareMaking Systems Changes for Better Diabetes Care

Topic last updated Jan. 2006
In This Section
» Commitment and Incentives
» Identify Gaps
»  Establish Goals for Improvement
» Models for Chronic Care Improvement
 
- Chronic Care Model
- PDSA Cycle
- Enhanced Primary Care Model
» Assessment and Accountability
» Changes at Various Levels 
» Successful Quality Improvement Projects
» Resources

Note

Self-assessment is an essential first step toward making system changes. Each facility and provider needs to realize the magnitude of a problem in their practices and commit to its reduction and ultimate elimination.

How to Make Systems Changes
for Improved Care

Identify Gaps in Care

Self-assessment is an essential first step toward making system changes. The medical literature confirms that substantial gaps exist between knowledge and practice in health care. Each facility and provider needs to realize the magnitude of the problem in their practices and commit to its reduction and ultimate elimination. Broad variation in medical practices contribute to this disparity i.e. similar patients are treated in widely variable fashions. Examples of improved practices and outcomes exist, but they need to be described and disseminated. The challenge is to identify, describe and learn from these examples and use this learning to construct systems to improve performance. While the ultimate goal is improved diabetes outcomes, such as the incidence of complications, self-assessment focuses on the process of change and provides a roadmap to order priorities, plan change, and direct energies. Self-assessment leads to action. Consider consulting with purchasers or business and management partners in the healthcare system for financial assistance to support system-wide changes.

Although our focus is on health systems change, the medical diagnostic process isn't all that different: one gathers available data, determines the gaps in needed information, seeks consultation to fill those gaps, and follows the patient's progress. Treatment may be initiated before all the facts are in, but the plan is always incremental: changes are made based on clinical evaluation feedback.

For more information on assessment to identify gaps and prioritize an action plan, click here.

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How: Establish Goals for Improvement

 

Making Systems Changes for Better Diabetes Care Better Diabetes Care
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Making Systems Changes for Better Diabetes Care Better Diabetes Care