Enhancing the Diabetic Referral Process in the ED: Addressing Complications and Transitions of Care
Publication Date
2024
Document Type
Other
First Advisor
Tanzillo, Tanya
Degree Name
DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice)
Department
School of Nursing
Abstract
Background: Diabetes affects approximately 34 million Americans and is associated with substantial healthcare costs. Diabetes-related emergency department (ED) visits have been rising among Blacks and Latinos. Limited access to primary care and complex comorbidities contribute to increased complications. While the literature and the American Diabetes Association Standards of Care stress the benefits of screening and referral for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES), this approach is underutilized in the ED.
Local Problem: At a 14-bed ED in the Chicagoland area with a high incidence of diabetes rates and diabetes-related ED visits, patients discharged from the ED were not being referred to DSMES at the hospital’s diabetes clinic.
Methods: This eight-week quality improvement project used a pre-post test design of a convenience sample to compare screening and referral rates following the implementation of a screening tool and a streamlined referral process.
Intervention: The intervention consisted of implementing an evidence-based screening tool and referral process after staff education to facilitate referral to the diabetes clinic for DSMES.
Results: Overall, 20.6% (N=112) of eligible patients were screened and referred. Referred patients were of an average age of 59.4 years, with 53.6% identifying as Latinos and 43.8% as Black. There was a significant difference between the proportions of ED screening and referrals from pre to post intervention χ2(1): 141.83 and a p-value: < 2.2e-16.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates that implementing a screening and referral process in the ED is feasible, resulting in a significant increase from pre-intervention to post-intervention screening and referral rates.
Keywords: type-2 diabetes, screening, referral, emergency department
Recommended Citation
Arroyo, Elvia, "Enhancing the Diabetic Referral Process in the ED: Addressing Complications and Transitions of Care" (2024). Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects. 8.
https://huskiecommons.lib.niu.edu/nursinghealthstudies-doctornursingpractice/8
