Area physicians improve care for diabetic patients compared to national averages

A partnership of local area hospitals, clinics and other health care providers show better care of diabetic patients by area primary care group practices than national averages. The report by Better Health Greater Cleveland is linked here.

January 27, 2009 - A partnership of several area hospitals, clinics, public health agencies, and other health care providers and service organizations, Better Health Greater Cleveland, released a report on diabetes care to over 25,000 area residents. The report, Community Health Checkup - Executive Summary, reports on the care provided to diabetes patients by 42 area primary care groups using national guidelines for care.

Regional primary care physicians do a better job than national averages in

• measuring patients long term control of their blood sugar (hemaglobin A1C testing)
• keeping patients in long term control of their blood sugar,
• getting diabetic patients' eyesight checked
• monitoring kidney health of diabetic patients
• measuring and controlling the LDL cholesterol measurement
• measuring and maintaining patients' blood pressure

(See Table 2 in the Executive Summary report, linked here.)

Their webpage with links to all parts of their complete report, listings of participating agencies, a description of the partnership and additional resources can be found at this link.

Why is this report important?

According to the report, at least one in every 13 residents in Northeast Ohio have diabetes, and 3 of 5 people with diabetes have additional serious health problems.  Further health problems caused by diabetes can be prevented with proper lifestyle changes diabetic patients and proper medication and health screenings by providers.  Persons with diabetes live a longer, healthier life if they adequately control their blood sugar. This report shows that primary care physicians and their staff are successful in working with patients to help them control their blood sugar to lead healthier lives.

This report is also important as it provides information on diabetes care to those uninsured, on disparities in outcomes among patients with fewer resources, and describe further challenges to the region.

Better Health Greater Cleveland Partnership

Cleveland is one of 14 communities where this initiative exits. The  Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has funded MetroHealth Medical System, working with Health Action Council Ohio, and the Center for Community Solutions to develop partnerships (Go to this link for a complete listing!) with local health care providers, public health agencies and insurers to obtain clinical measures on diabetic patients to get a better sense of the care that these patients are receiving.