DETROIT--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 13, 2004--Diabetic patients who are participating in an innovative program for their care have lower blood sugar levels, lower hospital admissions and fewer emergency room visits.
The patients in the study are being seen at the Diabetes Health Enhancement Clinic at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. The clinic was created by Lynette P. Davenport, M.D., M.P.H., senior staff physician in the department of internal medicine, to improve the quality and continuity of care for patients with diabetes while reducing the health risks and costs associated with diabetes complications.
“The Diabetes Health Enhancement Clinic gives patients the best chance of successful treatment because we provide comprehensive and intensive diabetes management and education in one visit,” said Davenport. “The goal of the study is to show that with the proper support and knowledge, patients are better able to take responsibility for their health and managing diabetes.”
Patients are referred to the clinic by their primary care physician, and often have a history of poor blood sugar control. Visits are at least once a month, and include the following:
-- Diabetes education
-- Consultation with a dietician
-- Medical exam
-- Referrals for other screenings such as foot and eye exams
The Diabetes Health Enhancement Clinic was funded by a $100,000 Invest in Quality grant, a Health Alliance Plan (HAP) grant program for providers aimed at developing improvements in patient safety and health care quality.
“Helping patients with diabetes keep their blood sugar level in a normal range makes a big difference in their health and quality of life,” said Mary Beth Bolton, M.D., HAP senior vice president and chief medical officer. “In the short run patients will feel better and have more energy, and in the long term, they reduce their risk of complications such as heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke and nerve damage.”
Patients are traditionally diagnosed with diabetes during a visit to their physician and are given medication to control their blood sugar level. There may be little time for the physician to fully educate the patient about the disease and answer questions. Patient compliance with traditional treatments may be limited because there is often resistance to changing dietary habits and taking insulin to control blood sugar levels.
The Diabetes Health Enhancement Clinic aims to provide improved diabetes treatment for HAP members with diabetes like Karon Cummings, 60, of Detroit.
“It helps to work with a team of health care professionals that specialize in treating diabetes,” said Cummings, who enrolled in the clinic five months ago. “They understand the frustrations of living with the disease and they help me make better decisions about my health.”
Before enrolling in the clinic, Cummings had limited success controlling her blood sugar. After visiting the clinic at least once a month for the past five months, Cummings’ blood sugar is controlled. She was diagnosed with diabetes 15 years ago.
“Ultimately, I’m the only one who can control my diabetes, but the team is there to support me and help me be a better patient,” said Cummings. “If something is wrong with my blood sugar, I’m on the phone right away to get help. The team approach at the clinic is the best way for me to handle my diabetes.”
The initial research results will be available this fall, and will include outcomes from approximately 100 patients.
“This study could have a tremendous impact on the way the medical community treats diabetes,” said Davenport, who treats Cummings at the clinic.
Diabetes has become an epidemic in the United States in the last decade. An estimated 18 million American’s have diabetes, and many people with the disease are unaware they have it.
Headquartered in Detroit, HAP is a nonprofit health plan serving more than 540,000 members and 2,800 employer groups. HAP is a subsidiary of the Henry Ford Health System, one of the nation’s leading regional health care systems. The National Committee for Quality Assurance awarded HAP’s commercial HMO its highest status, Excellent Accreditation, and Full Accreditation for Alliance Health and Life Insurance Company PPO products. General Motors designated HAP’s Commercial HMO a “Benchmark HMO” for providing high quality service and value.
Henry Ford Health System, one of the country’s largest health care systems, integrates primary and specialty care with research and education. It includes six owned or affiliated hospitals, a 540,000 member health maintenance organization, 22 primary care centers, home health care and other health-related entities located throughout southeastern Michigan.
Contacts
Health Alliance Plan Liz Manasse, 248-443-1072 emanasse@hap.org or
Henry Ford Health System Dwight Angell, 313-876-8709 dangell1@hfhs.org