CONFORMANCE WITH THE PREFERRED PRACTICE PATTERN FOR DIABETIC EYE CARE

Objective: To investigate conformance with a practice guideline in the eye care of patients with diabetes. Methods: The care of 210 patients with diabetes seen in a multispecialty eye care setting was compared with the recommendations of the American Academy of Ophthalmology's Pr eferred Practice Pattern. Criteria measured included appropriate class ification of stage of disease, follow-up intervals based on stage of d isease, and initiation of appropriate laser treatment. Results: The 21 0 patients whose charts were reviewed showed high levels of conformanc e with recommended care patterns. All patients were appropriately clas sified. From 91-100% of patients were seen within the recommended time intervals and received laser treatment when indicated. Conclusion: Th e American Academy of Ophthalmology's Preferred Practice Pattern can b e easily operationalized into review criteria. Application of these re view criteria to one multispecialty eye care setting shows evidence of high rates of conformance with recommended care.