Diabetes Ten City Challenge: final economic and clinical results.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the economic and clinical outcomes for the Diabetes Ten City Challenge (DTCC), a multisite community pharmacy health management program for patients with diabetes.


METHODS
Quasiexperimental observational analysis, pre-post comparison.


METHODS
Employers at 10 distinct geographic sites contracting with pharmacy providers in the community setting.


METHODS
573 patients with diabetes who had baseline and year 1 medical and pharmacy claims and two or more documented visits with pharmacists.


METHODS
Community-based pharmacists provided patient self-management care services via scheduled consultations within a collaborative care management model.


METHODS
Changes in health care costs for employers and beneficiaries and key clinical measures.


RESULTS
Average total health care costs per patient per year were reduced by $1,079 (7.2%) compared with projected costs. Statistically significant improvements were observed for key clinical measures, including a mean glycosylated hemoglobin decrease from 7.5% to 7.1% (P = 0.002), a mean low-density lipoprotein cholesterol decrease from 98 to 94 mg/dL (P < 0.001), and a mean systolic blood pressure decrease from 133 to 130 mm Hg (P < 0.001) over a mean of 14.8 months of participation in the program. Between the initial visit and the end of the evaluation period, influenza vaccination rate increased from 32% to 65%, eye examination rate increased from 57% to 81%, and foot examination rate increased from 34% to 74%.


CONCLUSIONS
DTCC successfully implemented an employer-funded, collaborative health management program using community-based pharmacist coaching, evidenced-based diabetes care guidelines, and self-management strategies. Positive clinical and economic outcomes were identified for 573 patients who participated in the program for at least 1 year, compared with baseline data.
American Pharmacists Association Foundation, Washington, DC, USA. tfera@mirixa.com
Toni
T
Fera
Benjamin M
BM
Bluml
William M
WM
Ellis
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000191:economics / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007356:Insurance, Pharmaceutical Services; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States
D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin