MedStar Health Type 2 Diabetes Pathway to Control

MedStar Pathway to Diabetes Control Demonstration Project: Type 2 Diabetes Boot Camp

A Diabetes Institute (MDI), in partnership with key stakeholders-including Primary Care Providers- in a northeastern US regional, mixed-payer healthcare system), seeks to implement an evidence-based, technology-enabled, innovative, and integrated diabetes care management pathway (Boot Camp) for adult patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes (A1C>/=9%) which will demonstrate improvement in diabetes clinical and health resources utilization outcomes.

• The program is designed to integrate type 2 diabetes specialty services into Primary Care practices to support PCPs and their patients in improving a spectrum of diabetes-related outcomes.
• High-risk patients from Primary Care practices who have uncontrolled type 2 diabetes and meet the target population inclusion and exclusion criteria will be invited to participate in an intensive and concise "BOOT CAMP" medication management and education intervention of ~4-8 weeks duration.
• The intervention will consist of three key components: (1) intensive, algorithm-based medication management (Appendix A), based on continuous review and management of blood sugars; (2) survival skills diabetes self-management education based on knowledge deficits identified on the KNOW Diabetes knowledge survey; (3) enhanced patient-provider communication, all provided by Endocrinologist supervised allied health professionals (in this instance CDEs).
• Survival skills DSME will focus on nutrition and meal plan basics, blood glucose targets, taking medications as prescribed, hyper- and hypoglycemia recognition and treatment, and when to seek medical help.
• The intervention is initiated with one to two face-to-face meetings with the CDE, at which the patient's readiness to change is assessed.
• These are followed by virtual meetings though a variety of media based on patient preference and health literacy (largely telephone and text messaging).
• Various technology tools are used to facilitate patient engagement, access and attainment of glycemic targets, including smart meters, virtual meeting platforms, web-based education content and surveys administration via tablets, etc.
• Near real-time transmission of blood glucose data using a cellular-enabled blood glucose monitoring system sends all glucose results to a web-based dashboard accessed daily by the Boot Camp educators.
• Concurrent matched charts of patients receiving standard care at the three MedStar locations will serve as a basis of comparison in assessing the impact of MDI on clinical and education outcomes and process of care.
• Based on patient progress towards improved glycemic control, the patient will 'graduate' from the program and the CDE will refer the patient back to their PCP in 8-12 weeks with a full report of medication changes, blood glucose readings and further diabetes management recommendations eg referrals; further DSME, etc.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of type 2 diabetes for >=1 year
• Active practice patient
• A1C > 9.0% at their last visit to Medical Home, ED or hospital admission plus one more high risk factor (ED visit or hospitalization in past 12 mos)
• Primary Care Provider willing to have patient enter the program
• Patient is able and willing to participate in the program and exhibits readiness to change DM self-management
• Proficient in English

Exclusion Criteria:

• Known history of DKA
• No MedStar PCP visit within past 12 months
• Endocrine or Diabetes Education consult referral order in the past 6 months which resulted in Endo visit(s) or DSME visit(s) documented in chart or self-reported by patient during initial screen
• Active additional medical issues which in the opinion of the care team would preclude concentrating on BG control and/or would predispose to ED visits and/or hospital admits independent of glycemic control, e.g.: severe CHF, severe COPD; severe mental illness.
• Resident of skilled nursing facility, nursing home or receiving home health care services.
• Active cancer in the preceding 3 years excluding nonmalignant basal cell cancer
• Supraphysiologic doses of glucocorticoids (hydrocortisone > 30mg/day; prednisone > 5-6mg daily; dexamethasone > 2mg daily).
• Pregnant or anticipates attempting conception in the following year
• Patient and/or custodial caregiver unwilling and/or unable to participate in program-related activities