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An initiative to improve follow-up of patients with diabetic retinopathy.
- Source :
-
Ophthalmic & physiological optics : the journal of the British College of Ophthalmic Opticians (Optometrists) [Ophthalmic Physiol Opt] 2022 Sep; Vol. 42 (5), pp. 965-972. Date of Electronic Publication: 2022 May 11. - Publication Year :
- 2022
-
Abstract
- Background: This study describes the implementation of an electronic medical record (EMR)-based initiative aimed at identifying and reducing the number of patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR) lost to follow-up (LTF).<br />Method: Providers were enlisted to review the EMRs and re-engage patients with DR seen 1 year prior and who had not returned for care within the past 6 months. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify demographic, clinical and sociomedical factors associated with being LTF, as well as those predictive of re-engagement.<br />Results: Out of 673 patients with DR, 78 (12%) were identified as LTF. Patients LTF were more likely to be younger (p = 0.001) and have poorly controlled haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c ≥ 8%, p = 0.04) and cholesterol (LDL ≥ 100 mg/dL, p < 0.001) levels. These patients were also more likely to have completed fewer ophthalmology appointments (p < 0.001), and less likely to have had retinal imaging within the last year (p < 0.001). Charts reviewed 1 month after the EMR-based initiative revealed that 22 patients (28%) had been successfully re-engaged by providers, while 56 patients (72%) remained LTF. History of prior treatment for DR was associated with re-engagement by providers (p = 0.04). One month following the provider-based intervention, the LTF rate dropped to 8.3%, and by 1 year only 3.6% of the patients remained LTF.<br />Conclusions: Electronic medical record-based tools can successfully identify DR patients as being LTF, offering an opportunity for providers to re-engage patients in a timely manner. Future studies are needed to determine the long-term impact of patient re-engagement on DR outcomes and efficiency of clinical practice.<br /> (© 2022 College of Optometrists.)
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1475-1313
- Volume :
- 42
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Ophthalmic & physiological optics : the journal of the British College of Ophthalmic Opticians (Optometrists)
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 35543137
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/opo.12998