An outpatient-focused program for childhood diabetes: design, implementation, and effectiveness.

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20 Scopus citations

Abstract

Treatment of childhood diabetes mellitus has undergone many recent changes, one of which is an increasing focus on outpatient management. In mid-1988, the pediatric diabetes clinic at Texas Children's Hospital began adopting an outpatient-focused treatment program using a care team. This report reviews our experience during this transition. Between 1987 and 1990, the percentage of new-onset patients who were never admitted to the hospital increased from 0 to 38%. Length of stay for new-onset patients who are admitted has declined. The shift in program focus has also led to decreased diabetes-related readmissions and length of stay per readmission. Estimated total patient cost savings exceed $100,000 per year for new-onset patients alone. Our results regarding patient care and cost-effectiveness agree with reports from other such diabetes treatment programs and support greater acceptance and use of this outpatient-focused approach.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)64-68
Number of pages5
JournalTexas medicine
Volume88
Issue number7
StatePublished - Jul 1992
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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