Listen to Scott Yasinow, MD, and Michael Duffy, PharmD, from the University Hospitals Internal Medicine Group of Cleveland, as they share their experiences participating in the Northeast Ohio Quality Improvement (NEO QI) Hub's Achieving HEAlth Excellence in Diabetes (AHEAD) Initiative. They will explain how closer collaboration between pharmacy and primary care reduced the percentage of patients with a hemoglobin A1C level above 9% and share key strategies that contributed to their success, including better care coordination, medication management, and an effective referral process. Listeners will also learn about the challenges faced and practical tips for practices aiming to improve diabetes outcomes for patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes. This podcast is the second in a series to showcase the successes of participating practices in the NEO QI Hub’s AHEAD Initiative.

Moderated by Mimi Singh, MD, MS, Case Western Reserve University, VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System

Listen to Jayne Barr, MD, and Nimet Ozbay, PharmD, BCACP, from the MetroHealth Internal Medicine Clinic, as they share their experiences participating in the Northeast Ohio Quality Improvement (NEO QI) Hub’s Achieving HEAlth Equity in Diabetes (AHEAD) Initiative quality improvement project. They will detail their team’s targeted efforts to reduce the number of patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes, focusing on those with a hemoglobin A1C of ≥ 9%. Listeners will learn about the practice’s quality improvement strategies, approaches to overcoming implementation barriers, and the critical factors that supported success and long-term sustainability. This podcast is the first in a series to showcase the successes of participating practices in the NEO QI Hub’s AHEAD Initiative.

Moderated by Aleece Caron, PhD, Case Western Reserve University and The MetroHealth System

Listen to James Campbell, MD, from Case Western Reserve University and The MetroHealth System, talk about designing quality improvement (QI) initiatives that will endure over time. He will share practical tips for building sustainability plans into QI initiatives, including strategies to overcome barriers to implementation.

Moderated by Aleece Caron, PhD, Case Western Reserve University and The MetroHealth System

Listen to Bode Adebambo, MD, from Case Western Reserve University and The MetroHealth System, and Chris Mundorf, PhD, MPH, from Better Health Partnership, discuss the importance of addressing social drivers of health to advance health equity. They will review promising models for social needs screening and referral in primary care practice.

Moderated by Anne Gaglioti, MD, MS, Case Western Reserve University and The MetroHealth System

Resources related to this podcast:

See Key Driver Key Driver F: Equitable Environment for Care in the Diabetes QI Clinical Toolkit https://neoqihub.org/assets/AHEAD-Diabetes-QI-Clinical-Toolkit.pdf

Listen to Revital Gorodeski Baskin, MD, from Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals, discuss lifestyle modifications to improve diabetes management. She will discuss healthy dietary options, achievable exercise approaches, and practical tips to help patients engage in a healthy lifestyle.

Resources related to this podcast:

See Key Driver D1: Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) in the Diabetes QI Clinical Toolkit (https://neoqihub.org/assets/AHEAD-Diabetes-QI-Clinical-Toolkit.pdf).

Patient Education materials for Healthy Eating With Diabetes and Physical Activity in the Diabetes QI Patient Education Toolkit (https://neoqihub.org/assets/AHEAD-Diabetes-QI-Patient-Education-Toolkit.pdf)

Listen to Betul Hatipoglu, MD, from Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals, discuss the evidence on blood glucose monitoring (BGM) including when a continuous glucose monitor is indicated. She will provide guidance on incorporating BGM into primary care and share tips to support patients in their glucose-monitoring efforts as part of a diabetes management plan.

Moderated by Andrew Harris, MD, Case Western Reserve University and Northeast Ohio Veterans Affairs Healthcare System

Resources mentioned in this podcast: See Key Driver A1: Blood Sugar Monitoring in the Diabetes QI Clinical Toolkit (https://neoqihub.org/assets/AHEAD-Diabetes-QI-Clinical-Toolkit.pdf).

Listen to Bode Adebambo, MD, from Case Western Reserve University and The MetroHealth System, discuss diabetes disparities in Ohio. She will highlight how quality improvement projects can address social determinants of health and reduce health inequities in diabetes in the primary care setting.

Moderated by Anne Gaglioti, MD, MS, Case Western Reserve University and The MetroHealth System

Resources mentioned in this podcast: See Key Driver F on Healthy Equitable Environment for Care in the Diabetes QI Clinical Toolkit (https://neoqihub.org/assets/AHEAD-Diabetes-QI-Clinical-Toolkit.pdf).

Listen to Betul Hatipoglu, MD, from Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals, discuss newer medication options for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in adults. She will discuss benefits, side effects, and impact on comorbidities.

Moderated by Shari Bolen, MD, MPH, from Case Western Reserve University and The MetroHealth System

Resources mentioned in this podcast: See Key Driver A2 on Medication Management and Adherence; Resource A2.2 Simplified Prescription of Diabetes Technology and Medications (https://neoqihub.org/assets/AHEAD-Diabetes-QI-Clinical-Toolkit.pdf).

Listen to Shari Bolen, MD, MPH, from Case Western Reserve University and The MetroHealth System, discuss the importance of timely follow-up for patients with elevated hemoglobin A1C to improve glycemic control outcomes. She will highlight successful strategies to institute A1C testing in the primary care visit.

Resources mentioned in this podcast: See Key Driver B1 on Timely Follow-up in the Diabetes QI Clinical Toolkit (https://neoqihub.org/assets/AHEAD-Diabetes-QI-Clinical-Toolkit.pdf).