Selected aspects of quality of care received by the diabetes mellitus patients attending diabetic and medical clinics at National Hospital Sri Lanka

Abstract

OBJECTIVES : To assess selected aspects of quali-ty of care received by diabetes mellitus patients attending diabetic and medical clinics at National Hospital Sri Lanka. METHODOLOGY: A hospital based descriptive cross sectional study was carried out in diabetic and medical clinics at National Hospital Sri Lanka. Data from a systematic sample of 512 patients collected. Main outcome measures were therapeutic and patient care procedures in terms of HbA I c level assessment, FBS and PPBS assessment, lipid level assessment, follow-up clinic visits, annual screening and prevention of complications in diabetic patients. RESULTS: HbAlc levels were ever done only in 3.7% (n=19). Out of the sample 45.9% (n=235) had a FBS value: ≤ 110 mg/dl. During the last year, 42.3% (n=69) lipid profiles were done in the medical clinics while 22.3% (n=78) lipid profiles were done in the diabetic clinic (p< 0.05). All annual screening indices were done in a higher proportion in the diabetic clinic than the medical clinics (p< 0.05). Out of the patients with BP ≥ 130/80 mmHg, 98% (n=146) in diabetic clinic and 91.7% (n=55) in medical clinics were on Aspirin (p< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Minimum attention has been given to HbAlc levels compared to other investigations. Higher fasting blood sugar values, abnormal lipid profiles and poor annual screening indicators were the main factors identified.