Skip to main content

Main menu

  • Home
  • Content
    • Current
    • Ahead of print
    • Archive
  • Info for
    • Authors
    • Reviewers
  • About Us
    • About the Ochsner Journal
    • Editorial Board
  • More
    • Alerts
    • Feedback
  • Other Publications
    • Ochsner Journal Blog

User menu

  • My alerts
  • Log in

Search

  • Advanced search
Ochsner Journal
  • Other Publications
    • Ochsner Journal Blog
  • My alerts
  • Log in
Ochsner Journal

Advanced Search

  • Home
  • Content
    • Current
    • Ahead of print
    • Archive
  • Info for
    • Authors
    • Reviewers
  • About Us
    • About the Ochsner Journal
    • Editorial Board
  • More
    • Alerts
    • Feedback
AbstractAbstracts

Diabetes—Improved Service Efficiency Improves Racial Disparity

Abel Irena, Kushal Patel, David B Thompson, Abiy Gesese, Gregory J Schleis and Richard J Battiola
Ochsner Journal March 2018, 18 (S1) 11;
Abel Irena
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Kushal Patel
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
David B Thompson
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Abiy Gesese
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Gregory J Schleis
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Richard J Battiola
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
  • Article
  • References
  • Info & Metrics
  • PDF
Loading

Abstract

Background: Disparities are seen in diabetes management with poor outcomes in black/African American patients compared to white patients. Two of the 4 diabetic indicators showed racial disparity: at least 2 glycohemoglobin (A1c) checks per year and blood pressure control of <140/90 mmHg. Known strategies to reduce racial disparities in patients with diabetes include community engagement and patient empowerment, increasing access and improving care coordination, and improving the quality of care.

Methods: Patient disparities were identified using REAL-G categories (race, ethnicity, age, language, gender) from Epic analyses. Data collected through staff interview, group discussion, and a review of the workflow identified key barriers: on-time A1c ordering, patients staying for laboratory work, timely availability of laboratory results, and resident/staff workload. The optimal interventions identified and prioritized for diabetes mellitus targeted REAL-G disparities via literature and the healthcare team’s perceptions of available resources. An A1c testing machine was purchased, and the clinic workflow was streamlined for point-of-care/day of patient appointment access. Orientation and training were provided for residents, faculty, and staff. Resident and faculty clinic champions were available each day of the workweek. Numerous PDSA cycles were conducted with the leadership of the clinic staff to improve the workflow related to point-of-care/day of A1c access.

Results: The Internal Medicine Clinic showed an overall increase in diabetes mellitus measures from 2015 to 2016. Overall, the patients receiving twice-yearly A1c checks increased by 9%. This result was under goal, but the clinic no-show rate remained static at 30%, challenging further improvement. Among African Americans, the percentage of patients receiving twice-yearly A1c checks increased from 63% in 2015 to 71% in 2016. Among white patients, those receiving twice-yearly A1c checks increased from 74% in 2015 to 80% in 2016. Overall, the number of patients with blood pressure <140/90 mmHg increased by 2%.

Conclusion: Racial disparities exist in clinic settings where African Americans are the predominant customers. The disparities may be associated with overall service quality that can be improved by implementing interventions that improve service for all patients. The ability to sustain the project is increased through active involvement of clinic staff/leaders at project inception.

  • © Academic Division of Ochsner Clinic Foundation
PreviousNext
Back to top

In this issue

Ochsner Journal: 18 (S1)
Ochsner Journal
Vol. 18, Issue S1
Mar 2018
  • Table of Contents
  • Index by author
Download PDF
Email Article

Thank you for your interest in spreading the word on Ochsner Journal.

NOTE: We only request your email address so that the person you are recommending the page to knows that you wanted them to see it, and that it is not junk mail. We do not capture any email address.

Enter multiple addresses on separate lines or separate them with commas.
Diabetes—Improved Service Efficiency Improves Racial Disparity
(Your Name) has sent you a message from Ochsner Journal
(Your Name) thought you would like to see the Ochsner Journal web site.
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.
Citation Tools
Diabetes—Improved Service Efficiency Improves Racial Disparity
Abel Irena, Kushal Patel, David B Thompson, Abiy Gesese, Gregory J Schleis, Richard J Battiola
Ochsner Journal Mar 2018, 18 (S1) 11;

Citation Manager Formats

  • BibTeX
  • Bookends
  • EasyBib
  • EndNote (tagged)
  • EndNote 8 (xml)
  • Medlars
  • Mendeley
  • Papers
  • RefWorks Tagged
  • Ref Manager
  • RIS
  • Zotero
Share
Diabetes—Improved Service Efficiency Improves Racial Disparity
Abel Irena, Kushal Patel, David B Thompson, Abiy Gesese, Gregory J Schleis, Richard J Battiola
Ochsner Journal Mar 2018, 18 (S1) 11;
del.icio.us logo Digg logo Reddit logo Twitter logo Facebook logo Google logo Mendeley logo
  • Tweet Widget
  • Facebook Like
  • Google Plus One

Jump to section

  • Article
  • Info & Metrics
  • References
  • PDF

Cited By...

  • No citing articles found.
  • Google Scholar

More in this TOC Section

  • Proceedings of National Initiative VI
  • Baylor Scott & White Health, Temple, TX
    Improving Obesity in the Hispanic Population
  • Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, Hartford, CT
    Enhancing Services for Recently Incarcerated People and Their Families
Show more ABSTRACTS

Similar Articles

Current Post at the Blog

Open Access Content—Not Ours!—Has Disappeared

Our Content

  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • Ahead of Print
  • Archive
  • Featured Contributors
  • Ochsner Journal Blog
  • Archive at PubMed Central

Information & Forms

  • Instructions for Authors
  • Instructions for Reviewers
  • Submission Checklist
  • FAQ
  • License for Publishing-Author Attestation
  • Patient Consent Form
  • Submit a Manuscript

Services & Contacts

  • Permissions
  • Sign up for our electronic table of contents
  • Feedback Form
  • Contact Us

About Us

  • Editorial Board
  • About the Ochsner Journal
  • Ochsner Health
  • University of Queensland-Ochsner Clinical School
  • Alliance of Independent Academic Medical Centers

© 2022 Ochsner Clinic Foundation

Powered by HighWire