Carle Clinic Association will use a grant to further improve upon care already identified as one of the best for patients with diabetes. The Carle Clinic Diabetes Management Program improves patients’ health through education, clinical expertise and coordinating services. This program propelled the Clinic to the top among applicants from throughout the nation.

The American Medical Group Association (AMGA) awarded the $2,500 grant. Carle Clinic was cited for integrating medical records, registry, mechanisms for contacting patients and feedback to physicians. More than 9,000 Carle Clinic patients are identified as having diabetes.

The Carle Diabetes Registry, supported by Carle Foundation Hospital and maintained by Chris Kucera, Health Systems Research Center, is an important part of efforts to improve the health of these patients. “The Registry allows us to identify and ensure follow-up of patients that have not completed necessary periodic lab testing and to monitor whether patients are achieving recommended goals for diabetic control,” said John Stoll, MD., Senior Medical Director and VP of Quality at Carle Clinic.

In the seven years that Carle has tracked patient data, the percentage of diabetics who have tests done in a timely manner has increased. Most importantly, there has been a significant improvement in the control of blood sugar and cholesterol. As an American Diabetes Association Recognized Program, Carle Clinic’s Endocrine Department provides both consultations on difficult cases and offers education on self-management of diabetes.   

“Carle’s Diabetes Management Program goal for 2006 will be to continue to improve the care of our patients with diabetes” said Dr. Stoll. AMGA has selected Carle Clinic to participate in the “Best Practices in Diabetes Care Learning Collaborative.” Clinics selected as best practice will share strategies which work to promote patient care. Joining Dr Stoll in this effort is Dr Kim Kramer, Department Head of Family Medicine, and Sue Reardon, Director of Primary Care. They will exchange information with other healthcare facilities in the U.S. and will work together to improve the health of people living with diabetes.