Utilization of the CARDIAB®™ database system to promote quality of care in Australian general practice

Abstract

This article describes quality of care and health outcome indicator data aggregated from seven Australian Divisions of General Practice, using the CARDIAB®™ register recall system, involving 4359 people with diabetes. Eighty-eight per cent of patients registered had type 2 diabetes. The process of care of these patients was evaluated in nine parameters critical to quality of care in diabetes: glycaemic control (HbA1c), blood pressure, body mass index, total cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels, high density lipoprotein levels (HDL), microalbumin level, foot checks and eye checks. The data provide important baseline information for program planning, service delivery, quality assurance and quality improvement at local, state and national levels. They demonstrate the potential of CARDIAB®™ to provide support to general practice in the management of diabetes. The reach of such registers will be facilitated by increased computerization of general practice records. A policy framework which addresses key concerns was central to recruitment to the project.