Observations and recommendations for community-based diabetes screenings.
Community-based diabetes screening is common, but its impact on health outcomes is unclear. Screening protocols may not be standardized nor reflect current clinical practice. A community and clinical team examined the quality and consistency of community-based screening to diagnose hyperglycemic states, and it developed a bilingual screening tool to allow screeners to present accurate, actionable results to participants.



The team interviewed providers and community members, analyzed forms and educational materials utilized by screeners, and observed local diabetes screening events. Researchers compared glucose parameters used by screeners to published guidelines and observed fingerstick techniques and protocols for education, referral, and follow-up. Screening was divided into 3 phases: participant assessment before testing, obtainment of a sample, and interpretation of and counsel about results.



There was a general lack of consistency in diabetes screening practices at the 12 screenings attended and among the 11 screeners interviewed. Assessment rarely included evaluation of diabetes risk factors or recent caloric intake. Obtaining a sample through fingersticks often included practices known to cause discomfort and decrease accuracy of glucose measurements. Criteria used to categorize results as "normal" or "abnormal" rarely followed published guidelines for laboratory-measured glucose values and varied significantly between screeners. No organization mentioned prediabetes in screenings. Postscreening consultation protocols varied widely.



Inconsistencies and inaccuracies in screening practices may limit the quality and relevance of community-based diabetes screenings. The impact of local screenings may be enhanced by using a tool that includes concrete steps and precise guidelines.
The Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Department of Health Evidence and Policy, New York, New York (West, Horowitz)
Brian
B
West
UCLA School of Public Health, Department of Health Services, Los Angeles, Californian (Parikh)
Punam
P
Parikh
Institute for Family Health, Department of Health Services, Los Angeles, California (Arniella)
Guedy
G
Arniella
The Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Department of Health Evidence and Policy, New York, New York (West, Horowitz)
Carol R
CR
Horowitz
D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006265:Health Care Coalitions; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D009519:New York City; D011236:Prediabetic State / Q000517:prevention & control; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012015:Reference Standards