Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement (QI) project was to create a sustainable QI program for type 2 diabetes utilizing the Chronic Care Model (CCM) in a small nurse practitioner led safety net clinic. The Health Resource Service Administration (HRSA) Health Disparity Collaboratives (HDCs) measure and goals provided the benchmark for goal setting.|Data Sources: Retrospective ambulatory care clinic medical records of patients with ICD 9 coding of type 2 diabetes for a four-month period and on-going chart reviews from type two diabetics for three one-month follow-up periods.|Conclusions: All processes of care measurements improved from retrospective data to each one-month follow-up measurement. Outcome measures demonstrated an upward trend for each one-month follow-up period and are part of the ongoing QI process.|Implications for practice: Gradual transformation of a small nurse practitioner led safety net clinic utilizing the components of the CCM was accomplished as measured by improvement in process measures for patients with type 2 diabetes and the ongoing quality improvement program. Utilizing a multifaceted approach to improve processes and outcomes of care, nurse practitioners providing care in safety net clinics are well prepared to provide for the complex needs of patients with diabetes.