|
April 13, 2009
FamilyCare Doctors receives national recognition for providing quality diabetes care
The National Committee for Quality Assurance and the American Diabetes Association recently announced that FamilyCare Doctors, a service of Marquette General Health System, has received recognition from the Diabetes Physician Recognition Program for providing quality care to patients with diabetes.
The Diabetes Recognition Program was designed to improve the quality of care that patients with diabetes receive by recognizing physicians who deliver quality diabetes care, and by motivating other physicians to document and improve their delivery of diabetes care.
“We want to take diabetes management into the next century,” said Dr. Larry Skendzel of FamilyCare Doctors. “It’s about living fully with diabetes – not suffering from diabetes. We have a system in place to help patients realize that goal. We also have a dedicated staff member, Ronda Huffman, who acts as a concierge for our diabetic patients in helping them meet ADA recommendations."
To receive recognition, which is valid for three years, FamilyCare Doctors submitted data, with the assistance of the Upper Peninsula Diabetes Outreach Network, that demonstrates performance that meets the program’s key diabetes care measures. These measures include eye exams, blood pressure tests, nutrition therapy and patient satisfaction, among others. When people with diabetes receive quality care as outlined by these measures, they are less likely to suffer complications such as heart attacks, stroke, blindness, kidney disease and amputations.
"This recognition is about more than great diabetes care – patient outcomes are also measured.” said Ann Constance, MA, RD, CDE, program director for the Upper Peninsula Diabetes Outreach Network. "Helping patients more effectively manage diabetes is what really makes a difference. In addition to receiving recommended tests and exams, the patients of these physicians also are achieving improved blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol control. Just a small improvement in blood glucose control lowers the risk of developing diabetes related complications, like blindness and kidney failure, by 40 percent."
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects the body’s ability to produce or respond properly to insulin, a hormone that allows blood sugar to enter the cells of the body and be used for energy. An estimated 16 million Americans have diabetes and it is the sixth leading cause of death by disease in the United States and it has no cure.
“Physicians who earn recognition through the Diabetes Physician Recognition Program have an established track record of providing excellent diabetes care,” said John Buse, MD, president of Medicine and Science for the ADA. “The list of recognized doctors is the first place to look if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with diabetes.”
To find out if your physician has been recognized by the Diabetes Physician Recognition Program or for further information, please visit www.ncqa.org/dprp or call (202) 955-1721.
NCQA is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving healthcare quality.
NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of healthcare organizations and recognizes physicians in key clinical areas. NCQA’s Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set is the most widely used performance tool in healthcare. NCQA is committed to providing healthcare quality information through the web, media and data licensing agreements in order to help consumers, employers and others make more informed healthcare choices.
The ADA is the nation’s leading voluntary health organization supporting diabetes research, information and advocacy. Founded in 1940, the ADA has offices in every region of the country, providing services to more than 800 communities.
|
