In one of my current roles as a nurse practitioner, I work in
partnership with area skilled nursing facilities to manage their
residents. One of the leading National Practice Problems prevalent in
my patient population is diabetes mellitus. According to the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (2024), the prevalence of diabetes
in those 65 and older has reached 29.2%.
Because this population is often the demographic seen in my
facilities, it is a chronic issue we must frequently deal with. However,
it can be challenging to manage due to high non-compliance rates,
especially in older adults. Some of the risk factors for developing
diabetes include smoking, physical inactivity, obesity, high
cholesterol, and poor dietary habits, all of which seem to be present
in our patient population. I often find that as people age and end up
in nursing facilities, they may not keep up with their health like they
did when they were younger, more physically active, had more
motivation, or had more control over their diets. There is frequently a
lack of concern regarding the long-term complications related to
diabetes as a person reaches an advanced age. Often, this leads to
a diabetes diagnosis that may not be taken seriously, leading to non-
compliance.
Unfortunately, diabetes mellitus significantly impacts our patient’s
quality of life and safety while also having financial implications for
both the organization and the patient. Our type two diabetic patients
are often more challenging to manage due to the insidious damage
being done over a more extended period with less frequent acute,
frank complications than type one diabetics if they miss medication
or don’t properly manage their diet.
Additionally, diabetes can cause secondary complications such as
retinopathy, neuropathy, renal disease, cardiovascular disease, etc.,
that further reduce the patient’s quality of life and the cost of
medical care.
Parker et al. (2023) report that people above the age of 65 with
diabetes spend roughly double on per capita annual healthcare
expenditures than any other age group. They also report that in
2022, the total estimated cost of diabetes care and management in
the United States was $412.9 billion, including $306.6 billion in direct
medical costs and $106.3 billion in indirect costs. These numbers
alone for our patient population raise serious concerns, along with
the impact diabetes has on each individual’s health and well-being.
Implementing technology such as an electronic medical record (EHR)
can greatly assist in implementing, evaluating, and sustaining an
, evidence-based solution to diabetes management in skilled nursing
facilities. EHRs offer the ability to share real-time data and give a
historically accurate representation of care, leading to improved
patient health outcomes, continuity of care, and
partnership with area skilled nursing facilities to manage their
residents. One of the leading National Practice Problems prevalent in
my patient population is diabetes mellitus. According to the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (2024), the prevalence of diabetes
in those 65 and older has reached 29.2%.
Because this population is often the demographic seen in my
facilities, it is a chronic issue we must frequently deal with. However,
it can be challenging to manage due to high non-compliance rates,
especially in older adults. Some of the risk factors for developing
diabetes include smoking, physical inactivity, obesity, high
cholesterol, and poor dietary habits, all of which seem to be present
in our patient population. I often find that as people age and end up
in nursing facilities, they may not keep up with their health like they
did when they were younger, more physically active, had more
motivation, or had more control over their diets. There is frequently a
lack of concern regarding the long-term complications related to
diabetes as a person reaches an advanced age. Often, this leads to
a diabetes diagnosis that may not be taken seriously, leading to non-
compliance.
Unfortunately, diabetes mellitus significantly impacts our patient’s
quality of life and safety while also having financial implications for
both the organization and the patient. Our type two diabetic patients
are often more challenging to manage due to the insidious damage
being done over a more extended period with less frequent acute,
frank complications than type one diabetics if they miss medication
or don’t properly manage their diet.
Additionally, diabetes can cause secondary complications such as
retinopathy, neuropathy, renal disease, cardiovascular disease, etc.,
that further reduce the patient’s quality of life and the cost of
medical care.
Parker et al. (2023) report that people above the age of 65 with
diabetes spend roughly double on per capita annual healthcare
expenditures than any other age group. They also report that in
2022, the total estimated cost of diabetes care and management in
the United States was $412.9 billion, including $306.6 billion in direct
medical costs and $106.3 billion in indirect costs. These numbers
alone for our patient population raise serious concerns, along with
the impact diabetes has on each individual’s health and well-being.
Implementing technology such as an electronic medical record (EHR)
can greatly assist in implementing, evaluating, and sustaining an
, evidence-based solution to diabetes management in skilled nursing
facilities. EHRs offer the ability to share real-time data and give a
historically accurate representation of care, leading to improved
patient health outcomes, continuity of care, and
