The effects of outpatient management on hospitalization for ambulatory care sensitive conditions associated with diabetes mellitus.
BACKGROUND
Ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSC) related to diabetes mellitus can potentially be prevented by good quality outpatient care. The purpose of this study was to evaluate which characteristics of ambulatory patients with diabetes were associated with ACSC hospitalizations.


METHODS
Retrospective chart review of 65 adults with an ACSC diabetes-related hospitalization, and 130 controls with diabetes without ACSC hospitalizations. The primary outcome measure was the difference in hemoglobin A1c between groups.


RESULTS
Patients with an ACSC hospitalization had poorer glucose control (mean A1c 9.24 versus 7.68, P < 0.001), but there was no difference in blood pressure or lipid control.


CONCLUSIONS
Prevention of diabetes-related hospitalizations related more closely to glycemic control, rather than other important aspects of comprehensive care.
Warner
Elizabeth A
EA
Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa, FL 33612, USA. ewarner@health.usf.edu
Ziboh
Anita U
AU
D000293:Adolescent; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001794:Blood Pressure; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D008055:Lipids; C517652:hemoglobin A1c protein, human