Assessment of Diabetes Care by Medical Record Review: The Indian Health Service Model

Abstract

IHS rates of adherence are similar to rates obtained from medical record reviews and computerized billing data, but are less than rates obtained by provider self-report. Medical record review, using uniform definitions and inexpensive software for data entry and reports, can easily be implemented in multiple primary-care settings. Uniformity of data definition and collection facilitates the aggregation of the data and comparison over time and among facilities. This medical record review system, although labor intensive, can be easily adopted in a variety of primary-care settings for quality improvement activities, program planning, and evaluation.