Increasing Access to Diabetes Care in Underserved Populations Using Mobile Medicine: How Point-of-Care Testing on Mobile Clinics Strengthens Hemoglobin A1c Adherence in Vulnerable and Underserved Populations.

Abstract

Background: The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 26.9 million individuals a diabetes diagnosis rate of 9.4% in the United States had diabetes in 2018, equivalent to 8.2% of the population (CDC, 2020). Key government organizations have developed clinical quality indicators (CQIs) to ensure patients receive adequate care. The CQIs for comprehensive diabetes care are complex and often indicate a gap-in-care among vulnerable populations.

Objective: To evaluate if the availability of point-of-care (POC) hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) testing in a mobile clinic increases CQIs adherence in vulnerable populations.

Methods: This evidence-based clinical practice change project (EBCPCP) focused on improving diabetic CQIs in vulnerable populations by implementing POC HbA1c testing on a federally qualified health centers (FQHC) mobile clinic.

Results: The results, 125 individuals having received HbA1c results, indicate having POC HgbA1c testing available on the mobile unit increased HbA1c testing. No patients had an HbA1c lab completed prior to the availability of POC testing.

Conclusion: The availability of POC testing on a mobile clinic increases access to HbA1c for vulnerable populations which improves practice outcomes and increased CQI adherence.

Implications for nursing: The results of this EBCPCP indicate POC testing increases access to diagnostics and care.