A Quality Improvement Project to Enhance Self-Management Support for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Type 2 diabetes mellitus poses a significant global healthcare threat due to multiple and often life-threatening complications. More than 10.5% of the population in the United States has type 2 diabetes mellitus, with the rate in El Paso, Texas, markedly higher at 15.3%. A 10-day reflective practice showed that patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus often experience uncontrolled hemoglobin A1c levels and high serum blood glucose levels. A review of the literature, in addition to information from the American Diabetes Association, the American Heart Association, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, demonstrated that the use of self-management support and a goal setting action plan are well-established, evidence-based strategies that could significantly improve type 2 diabetes mellitus outcomes. The purpose of the quality improvement project was to enhance self-management support for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The project was successfully implemented, as five out of the seven patients had improvement in HbA1c levels and serum BGL. Furthermore, patients appreciated the opportunity to enhance their self-management skills