Parkview Health has revolutionized diabetic retinopathy testing, making it more accessible through point-of-care tools. This initiative addresses the challenges of low completion rates due to barriers like time, finances, and transportation. By strategically placing retinal scanning technology in clinics and engaging healthcare professionals, Parkview Health has achieved remarkable results. Over 500 exams have been completed across multiple clinics, with even the lowest-performing clinics meeting their goals. Through patient-centered approaches and innovative solutions, Parkview Health is transforming diabetic eye care accessibility, offering hope for improved outcomes in diabetes management.
Parkview Health is revolutionizing diabetic retinopathy testing by bringing it closer to the patients with the help of a new point-of-care tool. This innovation has significantly improved the accessibility and completion rates of retinal exams, even in clinics with historically low performance in this area.
Living with diabetes poses numerous challenges, requiring individuals to diligently manage their health through various daily, monthly, and yearly tasks. These tasks range from monitoring blood sugar levels to meeting with healthcare professionals regularly. However, one crucial aspect often overlooked is the annual diabetic retinopathy test, which can detect early signs of diabetic-related damage to the retina.
Chad Shirar, director of enterprise diabetes and wellness strategy at Parkview Health, highlights the lack of awareness and accessibility as major barriers preventing diabetic individuals from undergoing retinal exams. Factors such as time constraints, financial limitations, and transportation issues often deter patients from prioritizing this essential test, putting their eyesight at risk.
To address these challenges, Parkview Health introduced point-of-care retinopathy testing, aiming to provide instant diagnoses with greater accuracy and convenience than traditional methods. The technology is strategically placed in locations accessible to patients, minimizing out-of-pocket costs and eliminating the need for lengthy travel.
The process is efficient, with trained healthcare professionals performing the exam, which typically takes only seven minutes on average. Using specialized equipment, two images of each eye are captured without dilation, providing diagnostic results within 40 seconds. This approach not only streamlines the testing process but also ensures accurate diagnoses, rather than mere screenings.
Parkview Health implemented an extensive education and implementation plan, conducting roadshows to train staff and deploying equipment to various clinics. Establishing a rotating schedule ensured regular access to retinal exams at each clinic, fostering patient engagement and compliance.
The results have been remarkable, with over 500 exams completed across more than 10 clinics. Even clinics with historically low retinal exam completion rates have achieved their goals, thanks to the newfound accessibility and efficiency of the point-of-care testing approach.
In one particularly challenging clinic serving a rural area with high socioeconomic needs and a significant Spanish-speaking population, Parkview Health witnessed a substantial improvement. Through comprehensive engagement efforts and leveraging existing patient-clinic relationships, they increased retinal exam completion rates from less than 40% to over 55% in a matter of months. This success underscores the importance of building trust and rapport with patients to encourage participation in essential healthcare initiatives.
Reflecting on their experience, Shirar emphasizes the flexibility and patient-centered approach enabled by this innovative solution. By meeting patients where they are in their care journey and offering a low-cost, high-efficacy solution, Parkview Health has transformed diabetic retinopathy testing into a more accessible and effective process.
Parkview Health’s initiative to enhance diabetic eye care accessibility has proven highly effective in overcoming barriers and improving completion rates for retinal exams. By strategically placing point-of-care tools in clinics and prioritizing patient-centered approaches, they have achieved significant advancements in diabetic eye care. This innovative model not only improves outcomes but also offers hope for better management of diabetes-related complications. Parkview Health’s success serves as a testament to the importance of accessibility and innovation in healthcare delivery, paving the way for improved patient outcomes in diabetes management.
