Quality [r]evolution in diabetes care

To implement the St. Vincent Declaration Action Programme, initiatives have been started in the quality development of diabetes care across Europe. Th e main elements of the quality development cycle implemented in our hospita l were realized by the use of the software package 'CamitPro' and participa tion in 'the DiabCare Q-net NL' network. From 1997 to 1999, 955, 1468, and 1624 patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 were integrated in the DiabCare Q-net NL network by using 'CamitPro' software, respectively. These patient s showed substantial improvement in all of the clinical measures monitored. In addition, there was a drop in HbA(1c) level. From 1997 to 1999, an HbA( 1c) interval of 5.1%-8.3% (mean up to mean +4SD) was recorded for 66%, 76% and 81% of the patients, respectively. An extension of the use of the softw are to a pan-European level should markedly improve diabetes care throughou t the community.