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Intervention boosted foot exams among blacks with diabetes
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PHILADELPHIA — Foot exams for the detection of peripheral neuropathy using monofilament increased in black patients with diabetes following intervention from a nurse facilitator in a primary care setting, according to a study presented at the American Association of Diabetes Educators Annual Meeting and Exhibition.
Although the American Diabetes Association suggests patients receive annual foot and dilated eye exams, influenza vaccines and HbA1C assays, only one in five patients receive that care, researchers from the Western Michigan University Bronson School of Nursing wrote. Black patients with diabetes have the highest rates of lower extremity amputations, especially black men under the age of 75 years, they said.
Raine
The study included 285 patients who had diabetes for at least 12 months, 81% of whom were black and 67.6% of whom were female. The mean age of the patients was 58.2 years, and the mean BMI was 36.1.
The intervention consisted of three educational sessions led by a nurse facilitator over 3 months.
Results from the Fisher’s Exact Test indicated no difference in administration of foot exams by ethnicity or gender, and T-test indicated no significance in administration based on age or BMI.
Data post-intervention demonstrated a statistically significant increase in performance of foot exams after the nurse facilitator intervention (Fisher’s Exact Test = .000).
“Collaborative relationships between nurse facilitators and PCP’s may be beneficial in influencing positive patient outcomes,” the researchers wrote. “Despite numerous documented barriers for implementing evidence into practice, this study supports a simple and cost effective intervention by a nurse facilitator for improving patient care.” – by Alexandra Todak
For more information:
Raine. #R58. Presented at: AADE Annual Meeting and Exhibition; August 7-10; Philadelphia.
Disclosure: Raine reports no relevant financial disclosures.