Date Approved
4-25-2024
Graduate Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Nursing (D.N.P.)
Degree Program
College of Nursing
First Advisor
Dr. Dianne Slager, DNP, FNP-BC
Second Advisor
Dr. Clay Reeves, DNP, NP-C
Academic Year
2023/2024
Abstract
Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of preventable blindness in working age adults in the United States. Nonadherence to screening recommendations persists due to significant barriers. Early detection is crucial to mitigate economic burdens and improve patient outcomes. This quality improvement project aimed to increase DR screening access for patients with diabetes at an urban Midwest safety net clinic by implementing an optical coherence tomography (OCT) screening program. Methods: A 12-week, cross-sectional study design using convenience sampling to recruit adult diabetic patients, type-1, or type-2, at a Midwest primary care clinic. Intervention involved retinal imaging scans of participants to complete annual screening per the American Diabetes Association (ADA) annual recommendations. Results: Among the 375 active patients with diabetes, there was a statistically significant improvement, (p value = 0.03), in screening rates among eligible participants, when compared pre-intervention rates. Conclusions: OCT is a useful tool to increase access and improve adherence to annual DR screening recommendations.
ScholarWorks Citation
Peña, Henry Junior, "PrEYEmary Care Optical Coherence Tomography: Increasing Adherence to Retinopathy Screening" (2024). Doctoral Dissertations. 63.
https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/dissertations/63
