The impact of point-of-care A1C testing on provider compliance and A1C levels in a primary setting.

PURPOSE

The purpose of the research was to investigate the impact of point-of-care (POC) A1C testing among patients with type 2 diabetes in a primary care setting.

METHODS

This study used a pretest-posttest design with data from patient charts matched for age, sex, race, body mass index, insurance status, and the number of comorbidities. A random sample of charts of patients with type 2 diabetes in the primary care setting was reviewed 6 months and 3 months pre- and post-implementation of the POC A1C testing.

RESULTS

There was a significant difference in the number of A1Cs documented in the medical record pre- versus post-implementation of POC A1C. There was also a significant difference in A1C values pre- versus post-implementation. There was also a difference in the treatment changes pre- versus post-implementation of POC A1C.

CONCLUSION

Point-of-care A1C testing represents an opportunity for improved care of people with diabetes. The significance of this improvement will become more critical as the number of people with type 2 diabetes continues to increase.