Information & Quality Healthcare

November, as National Diabetes Month, represents a special time for Information & Quality Healthcare (IQH) in its efforts to decrease diabetes complications through monitoring preventive measures, including eye exams, lipids exams and A1c testing. As the quality improvement organization for the state, IQH seeks to create a greater awareness among Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers.

IQH offers the data as a resource for medical and public health stakeholders. Disease specific data are used to raise public awareness to improve care for the general population and to raise awareness about disparities of care in Mississippi. Stakeholders collaborating with IQH provide education and resources to Mississippians at the grassroots and professional levels. Recent data reflect ongoing continuous improvement in diabetes monitoring, including eye examinations, lipids examinations and A1c testing. "We monitor these tests and screenings as a part of our Medicare prevention project," said Trannie Murphy, quality improvement manager. Disparities of care are also monitored.

IQH begins observation of this special month with the launch of the Mississippi Health First Collaborative, a special statewide effort to improve care for patients with diabetes across the state, particularly for patients considered to be "medically underserved." The collaborative was announced Oct. 29 by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

The Mississippi Health First Collaborative is a program designed to assemble the community, medical, and public health partnerships and resources that can improve diabetes outcomes among Medicare beneficiaries. Through diabetes self-management education (DSME), the program seeks to create a greater awareness among people with diabetes and their families.

IQH data showing ongoing improvement in the use of diabetes testing can be accessed on this site by visiting providers, physicians, then preventive health. For further information, call Trannie Murphy, 601-957-1575 ext. 222.

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Contact: IQH Communications Department 601-957-1575 ext. 209

Publication No. 9SOW-MS-PREV-1435-09 Material prepared by IQH under contract with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. Contents presented do not necessarily reflect CMS policy.