Diabetes care credit system: a model for comprehensive and optimal diabetes care.
OBJECTIVE
To introduce a "credit system," which empowers patients with diabetes to share in the implementation of guidelines with the health-care provider and provides credits for achievement of health variables considered essential for optimal diabetes care.


METHODS
We describe the credit system and the points offered for achievement of variables that assess lifestyle, glycohemoglobin, blood pressure, lipid values, measurement of urinary albumin, annual physical examination, dilated eye examination, foot examination, and electrocardiogram, use of antiplatelet therapy, and use of angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) or angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor therapy. The patient's knowledge of diabetes and nutrition was also assessed. Patients with diabetes mellitus were enrolled in the credit program during their scheduled office visits. Results were compared with those in a control group.


RESULTS
The study enrolled 613 patients (303 male and 310 female patients), with a mean age of 59.91 +/- 13.57 years (range, 16 to 90). The control group consisted of 119 patients with diabetes (63 men and 56 women; mean age, 55.94 +/- 14.83 years) not participating in the credit system. One year after initiation of the program, analysis of the study group demonstrated high rates of implementation of guidelines: complete physical examination, 94%; foot examination, 89%; dilated eye examination, 77%; blood pressure less than 135/85 mm Hg, 78%; hemoglobin A1c less than 6%, 7%, and 8%, 26%, 58%, and 82%, respectively; serum triglycerides less than 200 mg/dL, 61%; low-density lipoprotein cholesterol less than 100 mg/dL, 49%; high-density lipoprotein cholesterol more than 35 mg/dL, 76%; use of antiplatelet therapy, 60%; quantitative urinary albumin screening, 74%; and use of ACE inhibitors or ARB, 44%. These rates of achievement of established variables for hemoglobin A1c, serum lipids, blood pressure, antiplatelet therapy, and measurement of urinary albumin were significantly higher than those in the control subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
The described credit system demonstrates an effective and practical means to implement and achieve the necessary guidelines and target variables that are intended to lead to optimal diabetes and cardiovascular outcomes.
Grunberger Diabetes Institute, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48302, USA.
Ali A
AA
Abbasi
George
G
Grunberger
Swapna
S
Parikh
Monica
M
Nicola
Claudiu
C
Gherlan
Aydin
A
Turan
Massimiliano
M
Vitale
Hetal
H
Dave
Mohammad
M
Amin
Debbie
D
Johnson
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D005791:Patient Care / Q000379:methods*; D010358:Patient Participation; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011787:Quality of Health Care