Residents of Fayette County now have access to a community diabetes initiative headed by the University of Pittsburgh Diabetes Institute and funded by the Department of Defense. The Diabetes Institute in partnership with Steps to a HealthierPA-Fayette County will begin efforts to help physicians and patients better manage diabetes.

Based on a model of care that has been shown to improve outcomes for people living with chronic diseases, like diabetes, efforts are underway in Uniontown to set up physician tracking systems and reminders, education, and self-management programs for patients. Delphi Health Systems, Inc. will work with the University of Pittsburgh, Steps to a HealthierPA-Fayette County and community physicians by providing diabetes management software to be used at the point of care.

Diabetes is a condition that affects 1 in 12 adults nationwide, and the prevalence of diabetes is rising at an alarming rate. For every 2 people who have had diabetes diagnosed, there is 1 person who has diabetes and does not know it. Diabetes is epidemic. The high and rapidly increasing prevalence of the disease demands this description. Declaring diabetes an epidemic also makes it clear that health approaches must be brought to bear in its control.

The Chronic Care Model (CCM) is a system that encourages high-quality chronic disease management. The objective is to create a more informed, activated patient and a prepared, proactive practice team working together to improve practice functions and clinical outcomes. Since access to diabetes specialists is limited in rural areas, it becomes critical to use a model of care that institutes American Diabetes Association (ADA) Standards of Care and diabetes self-management education on-site within the office setting in primary care.

The software developed by Delphi Health Systems offers physicians a tool for monitoring each patient’s diabetes care, integrated with diabetes education, which allows systematic quality assessment. Delphi Diabetes Manager software applies nationally recognized, clinically appropriate care guidelines for the needs of patients based on parameters set by the physician. Once the patient’s guideline is established, the software plans and tracks the results of all subsequent exams, tests, and interventions. If any result falls outside of defined ranges, the software alerts the physician. Delphi software ensures that care which is needed is provided in order to improve the quality of care.

Click here for more local news and updates.