Diabetes Control Matters
Standards of Care
Diabetes is a chronic illness that requires continuing medical care
and education to prevent acute complications and to reduce
the risk of long-term complications. People with diabetes
should receive their treatment and care from a physician-coordinated
team. The team includes, but is not limited to, physicians,
nurses, dietitians, and mental health professionals with expertise
and a special interest in diabetes.
 These
standards seek to provide physicians and other health care
professionals who treat people with diabetes with a means to:
- Set treatment goals
- Assess the quality of diabetes treatment provided
- Identify areas where more attention or self-management
training is needed
- Define timely and necessary referral patterns to appropriate
specialists
The ADA Standards of Care have become widely endorsed
by many organizations. Those indicated are, or will be, HEDIS
standards of care mandated in the year 2000.
References: American
Diabetes Association & Centers for Disease Control
Tests & Exams
| Test Type |
How Often? |
Hemoglobin A1c
(measures average blood sugar for past 3 months) |
• 4 times a year if
using insulin
• 2 times a year if not using insulin, control
established |
| Foot Inspection by Doctor or
Nurse |
Every visit |
| Annual Foot Examination By
Doctor or Nurse |
Once a year |
| Blood Pressure |
Every visit |
| Dilated Eye Exam |
Once a year |
Lipid Profile
(Cholesterol, HDL, LDL, Triglycerdies) |
Once a year |
Kidney Function
(Serum Creatinine –Urine Microalbumin) |
Once a year |
|
Flu Shot – Vaccine |
Once a year |
| Pneumonia Shot –Vaccine |
Initial visit |
Talk to Your Doctor About...
| Aspirin Therapy |
If over 40 years old |
| Smoking Cessation |
Every Visit |
| Pre-pregnancy – Family Planning |
As Needed |
| Diabetes Education |
Initially, with change, After HbA1c |
| Healthcare Goals |
Every Visit |
|
