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A Primary Health-Care System Approach to Improving Quality of Care and Outcomes in People with Diabetes: The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Experience

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Integrated Diabetes Care

Abstract

Although substantial evidence exists demonstrating the efficacy of interventions for controlling risk factors for diabetes complications, dissemination into community practice is not widespread; for example, in the USA, only 18 % of people with diabetes are achieving goals for HbA1c, blood pressure, and LDL cholesterol. In order to address quality of care and outcomes in people with diabetes, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) began adopting the elements of the Chronic Care Model using risk stratification, provider incentives, integration of care managers, travelling diabetes educators, population management, and collaboration with a single health insurer. This integrated model of care, tested in several initiatives, resulted in improved patient and provider outcomes. Over the 15-year period covered by this chapter, UPMC implemented innovative approaches that continue to respond to the needs of the rapidly growing population of people with diabetes in a dynamic health-care environment.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA

    Janice C. Zgibor

  2. Community Medicine Inc, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Francis X. Solano Jr.

  3. Physician Services Division, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Francis X. Solano Jr.

  4. Division of General Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Francis X. Solano Jr.

  5. Division of Endocrinology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Linda Siminerio

Authors
  1. Janice C. Zgibor
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  2. Francis X. Solano Jr.
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  3. Linda Siminerio
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Janice C. Zgibor .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

    David Simmons

  2. Health Economist, Konstanz, Germany

    Helmut Wenzel

  3. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA

    Janice C. Zgibor

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Zgibor, J.C., Solano, F.X., Siminerio, L. (2017). A Primary Health-Care System Approach to Improving Quality of Care and Outcomes in People with Diabetes: The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Experience. In: Simmons, D., Wenzel, H., Zgibor, J. (eds) Integrated Diabetes Care. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-13389-8_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-13389-8_4

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