title: Diabetic retinopathy screening: a clinical quality improvement project.
abstract: BlueCross BlueShield on the Rochester Area (BCBSRA) initiated a clinical quality improvement project that increased its diabetic retinopathy screening rate from 42.8% in 1995 to 58.1% in 1997. A multidisciplinary team examined the processes and discovered both member (patient) and provider (physician) barriers to annual screening. Members did not understand the clinical importance and were uncertain as to how frequently diabetic eye examinations were covered by insurance. Providers identified a role for BCBSRA to reinforce patient education on eye examinations and to assist with tracking of services. Involvement of these key stakeholders was critical to understanding and overcoming barriers.
authors.affiliation: BlueCross BlueShield of the Rochester Area, USA.
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Buonaccorso
mesh_terms: D054598:Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance Plans; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000175:diagnosis*; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D009518:New York; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000379:methods*; D015351:Vision Screening / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*