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Essay On Quality Improvement Plan

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Despite the growing burden of diabetes and the lack of diabetes care providers, barriers and resistance for utilization of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (ARPRNs) to provide diabetes care continues to exist. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2017), an estimated 30.3 million people have diabetes, with greater than 90% having Type Two Diabetes. In Saline County, Kansas, 12 % of the population has been diagnosed with diabetes (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 2016). A previous gap analysis identified the lack of outpatient diabetes education and management services in Saline County, Kansas. Follow-up SWOT (strength, weakness, opportunities and threats) identified barriers and potential solutions that must …show more content…

Even in communities with inpatient and outpatient diabetes services, the transition of care needs between the two care settings remains unmet due to lack of coordination. Organizational Goal and Proposed Solution for Outpatient Diabetes Care: SWOT Analysis Segal, Leach, May, and Turnbull (2013) noted that outpatient best-practice diabetes care can reduce the burden of diabetes and associated health care costs. However, diabetes management within the outpatient setting is complex and time consuming, leaving both healthcare providers and patients frustrated with the inability to coordinate, manage care and improve outcomes for this patient population (Ernst, 2014). With this in mind, a team care approach utilizing APRNs reduces this health care delivery burden, and improves education, management and care coordination in the outpatient setting (CDC, 2013). Utilization of APRNs as members of the care team improves care coordination, diabetes management and fill gap in diabetes education and management for small communities such as Saline County. In addition a team care approach for diabetes education and management reduces diabetes associated risk, comorbidities and improves diabetes outcomes for patients (CDC, 2013). According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease (NIH) (2011) specific areas of positive outcomes include increased patient

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