Certification

and Pediatric Diabetic CQI Tools

The Pediatric Diabetes Center had been working for several years on the American Diabetes Association Education Recognition Program (ADA ERP) certification, seeing this achievement as a long-term goal.

This certification is significant as it recognizes and promotes the efforts of giving quality care such as that seen in our clinic which serves over 1,800 patients within the Inland Empire. Our clinic provides for outpatient needs such as educational classes and inpatient needs when there is a new onset of disease with need for education. Currently, the clinic staff includes four pediatric endocrinologists, one psychologist, seven registered nurses, two registered dieticians, two social workers, two licensed vocational nurses, and five patient care assistants.

Achieving the ADA ERP certification would mean further growth and educational opportunities for the staff but it is a rigorous process that requires teamwork and determination. The process includes six standards that have to be met in order to qualify for certification in 2022: advocacy and support; resources, barriers, and demographics; teamwork; evidence-based curriculum; person-centered; and outcomes. In order to prepare, the clinic staff went to conferences and workshops, attended regular meetings, and provided updates to each other on the progress being made. Ongoing application and implementation of changes was a key part of their work for certification.

Last year, an initiative was completed to address the sixth standard outcomes. Guidelines stated that an outcome of the program needed to be an item that addressed a participant behavioral and clinical, or quality of life outcome. The staff chose HBA1Cs (average blood glucose over three months) pre- and post-education as patient generated health information (PGHI) became very crucial during the pandemic video visits. The clinic pediatric diabetes staff, management, and administration were involved in this project. Their combined efforts produced three tools: a patient information tracking report, patient questionnaires, and behavioral goals. They have found that having patients involved with PHGI and sharing information with providers between and during clinical visits has maximized the accuracy and efficiency of care services. Furthermore, patients are motivated to use the newest technology to assist with their diabetes management.

For our patients, having this certification from the ADA endorses the National Standards for diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES). This promotes individualized, ongoing process of empowering patients with knowledge and skills, as well as coaching for behavioral change. This also opens the door for further referrals and more patients we can serve.