Category: Federal Forum Posters
Purpose: The American Diabetes Association has identified prediabetes as a glycated hemoglobin of 5.7 to 6.4 percent and a main risk factor for developing diabetes mellitus. Diabetes is associated with significant morbidity and mortality related to microvascular and macrovascular complications. Weight loss and medication optimization are crucial to reduce risk of diabetes. The purpose of this project is to assess change in glycated hemoglobin and weight with education and pharmacological intervention made by a pharmacist. The pharmacy resident will accomplish this in collaboration with dietitians whose role includes providing education and support regarding diet, physical activity, and behavioral change.
Methods: The proposed quality improvement project will assess the impact of a pharmacy resident on avoidance of progression to diabetes and weight loss through pharmacotherapy intervention and lifestyle education. Veterans will be recruited from the Battle Creek Veterans Affairs Medical Center MOVE! Weight Management Program who have an A1c between 5.7 to 6.4 percent and a body mass index above 25. MOVE! is a weight management and health promotion program and its core ideas include encouraging healthy eating behavior, increasing physical activity, and promoting even small weight losses. Veterans will be provided with general education on prediabetes by the pharmacy resident during a group session or on an individual basis by phone. Follow-up calls will be made on a bimonthly to monthly basis to assess and document medication tolerability, document weight changes, and provide ongoing, personalized education on pharmacotherapy and prediabetes. This will take place in addition to regular MOVE! follow up with dietitians and will serve as added accountability for the patient. The pharmacy resident will work under the scope of Clinical Pharmacy Specialists in assessing and adjusting medication therapies. Documentation will be completed for each patient in the electronic health record following each follow-up phone call.
Results: In progress.
Conclusion: In progress.
Tegan Jacobson
– Pharmacy Resident, Battle Creek Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Pflugerville, TX129 Views