Impact of Clinical Pharmacist Intervention on Diabetes-Related Outcomes in a Military Treatment Facility

Abstract

Background: Clinical pharmacist management of patients with diabetes has been well justified, but there is a lack of research that evaluates the impact of pharmacist-managed diabetes care versus standard medical care on American Diabetes Association (ADA) treatment goals other than hemoglobin A1c (A1C). Objective: To evaluate the reduction in A1C, blood pressure, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) for patients with diabetes whose care was managed by a clinical pharmacist and compare these values to those of a cohort of patients whose care was managed by primary care providers. The difference in percentage of patients attaining ADA treatment goals between the 2 groups was also evaluated. Methods: This retrospective chart review identified 98 diabetic patients managed by a clinical pharmacist with at least 2 A1C measurements between September 15, 2008. and March 15, 2011. The Military Health System Population Health Portal was used to identify a similar group of patients with diabetes managed by their primary care provider (N = 90). The Armed Forces Health Longitudinal Technology Application was used 1o collect baseline data and the most recent measurements for A1C, blood pressure, LDL-C, and documented immunizations. Results: The pharmacist group saw positive improvements in all primary end points, including a 1.6% reduction in A1C, a 9-mm Hg and 1.4-mm Hg reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respectively, and a 16.3-mg/dL reduction in LDL-C, Conversely, the control group had an increase of 0.8% in A1C and 1.5 mm Hg in diastolic blood pressure. Reductions in systolic blood pressure and LDL-C were much less robust than in the pharmacist group (1.6 mm Hg and 5.2 mg/dL, respectively). Overall, patients in the pharmacist group were more likely to achieve ADA treatment goals. Conclusion: Pharmacist management of patients with diabetes significantly reduces A1C and allows more patients to meet ADA treatment goals. A clinical pharmacist-run diabetes clinic can provide numerous clinical benefits to patients.