Evidence-based diabetes prevention programs (DPPs) are proving to be very effective tools in the fight against type 2 diabetes. But they’re only effective when patients enroll in them. Getting patients enrolled means screening for prediabetes.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 84 million Americans are living with prediabetes, yet almost 90 percent don’t know they have it and are unaware of the long-term health risks associated with progressing to type 2 diabetes and the increased risks that brings such as heart attack and stroke.
A new patient registry developed through an American Medical Association partnership with Henry Ford Macomb Hospital shows promise of increased enrollment in DPPs for patients with prediabetes and may help them lower their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Henry Ford Macomb is part of the Henry Ford Health System in Michigan.
Prediabetes can often be reversed through lifestyle changes such as weight loss, healthy eating and increased physical activity.
Registry improves data sharing opportunities
Henry Ford Macomb is currently pilot testing the registry, which would be ideal for large and small health systems since it integrates tools from Epic electronic medical records.
"This registry would allow for data sharing among providers and help providers identify patients at risk of prediabetes and refer them to a CDC-recognized diabetes prevention program close to home," says Gina Aquino, R.N., a clinical quality nurse facilitator at Henry Ford Macomb and co-leader of the project.
The type of data that providers, hospitals and other health care professionals could compile, view and share includes:
- Diabetes risk assessment
- Diagnoses
- Medications
- Patient instructions
- Referrals to a DPP
- Patients' progress
The registry would be a welcome addition to the arsenal of tools already available to health care systems and providers to expand awareness and encourage prediabetes screening and underscore the value of DPPs including:
Early pilot results show promise for future
So far, just six months into the test pilot, the Henry Ford team has seen the number of patient referrals to a DPP increase.
When the test pilot ends in June 2018, the AMA will assess the registry's effectiveness as a potential national model that can be used to help other health systems nationwide increase patient participation in evidence-based DPPs.
Research reveals that people with prediabetes who take part in a structured lifestyle change program reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 58 percent. Additionally, participants lose 5-7 percent of their body weight by eating healthier and engaging in 150 minutes of physical activity every week.
Long-term results are equally positive. Participants in evidence-based DPPs are one-third less likely to develop type 2 diabetes 10 years after completing the program.