From the Guidelines
At South Plains Rural Health Services (SPRHS), QSEN competencies in diabetes management were effectively implemented through several key strategies, prioritizing Patient-Centered Care, Safety, and Quality Improvement to enhance patient outcomes and safety, as emphasized by the most recent study 1.
Patient-Centered Care
Patient-Centered Care was achieved by:
- Involving patients in shared decision-making about their treatment plans
- Providing culturally appropriate education materials in both English and Spanish
- Establishing individualized care plans based on patients' specific needs and preferences, as recommended by the American Diabetes Association 1
- Focusing on comprehensive education for healthcare providers to enhance guideline adherence in diabetes care, as highlighted in the integrative review 1
Safety
Safety competencies were met through:
- Standardized medication protocols
- Implementation of a comprehensive electronic health record system that included medication alerts and interaction warnings
- Regular staff training on proper insulin administration and hypoglycemia management, aligning with the standards of medical care in diabetes 1
Quality Improvement
Quality Improvement was demonstrated through:
- The collection and analysis of patient outcome data, including HbA1c levels and hospital readmission rates
- Regular team meetings to review performance metrics
- Implementation of evidence-based practice changes based on outcome data, as supported by the importance of patient-centered care and individualized approaches in diabetes management 1 The diabetes management program at SPRHS successfully integrated these QSEN competencies by creating a comprehensive approach that balanced standardized protocols with individualized care, ensuring that patients received safe, effective, and personalized diabetes management while continuously monitoring and improving care quality, as recommended by the most recent study 1.
From the Research
Patient-Centered Care
- The QSEN competency of patient-centered care was met in diabetes management at South Plains Rural Health Services (SPRHS) by providing low-cost educational interventions to help mitigate diabetes management in the population served 2, 3.
- The Create Your Plate meal planning approach, recommended by the American Diabetes Association, was used to educate patients on appropriate food selection for diabetes management, demonstrating a patient-centered approach to care 3.
- By addressing the knowledge gap in dietary selection for diabetes management, SPRHS demonstrated a commitment to patient-centered care, recognizing the unique needs and circumstances of their patients.
Safety
- The QSEN competency of safety was met in diabetes management at SPRHS by identifying and addressing the concerning trend of elevated HbA1C levels in diabetic patients, indicating a need for enhanced diabetes management strategies 4, 5.
- The use of evidence-based interventions, such as dietitian-led dietetic interventions and structured Diabetes Nutrition Education (DNE), demonstrated a commitment to safe and effective care for patients with diabetes 2, 3.
- By providing educational interventions and promoting blood sugar control, SPRHS aimed to reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications, ensuring a safer care environment for patients.
Quality Improvement
- The QSEN competency of quality improvement was met in diabetes management at SPRHS by recognizing the need for improvement in diabetes management strategies and exploring cost-effective solutions for diabetes education and management 6.
- The use of data to identify trends and areas for improvement, such as the elevated HbA1C levels, demonstrated a commitment to quality improvement and a focus on delivering high-quality care to patients with diabetes 4, 5.
- By implementing low-cost educational interventions and evaluating their effectiveness, SPRHS demonstrated a commitment to continuous quality improvement, aiming to enhance patient outcomes and improve the overall quality of care provided.