2698-LB: Improving Adherence to Care among Diabetic Patients with Primary Care Providers

Introduction and Objective: Diabetes is a leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD), expected to impact 10% of the global population by 2040 (Roddy et al., 2022). Studies indicate that primary care providers (PCPs) often face challenges in effectively monitoring and managing patients with diabetes, mainly due to poor adherence to follow-up (Davies et al., 202). Educational strategies can boost patient engagement; however, many remain uninformed and disconnected (Shahabi et al., 2022). This study aims to address this issue by examining how nurse-led education and follow-up can improve adherence to PCPs and prevent CKD. Methods: This study investigates the effect of nurse-led education on patients' completion of labs and adherence to their PCP through targeted follow-up. Two methods were used: (1) Secure portal messages offering clear educational info, nurse availability for questions, lab assistance, and referrals for follow-up to prevent CKD from diabetes; (2) Direct phone calls to diabetic patients, providing education, emphasizing lab and follow-up importance, conducting surveys, placing lab orders, and referring for follow-up. Criteria included patients with HbA1c ≥8% who missed or completed labs like HbA1c, UALCR, BMP within 3-6 months, with follow-up within 3 months. Results: The project aimed to improve diabetic patients' adherence to primary care by 25% and reduce CKD cases within a year. Results exceeded goals: over 53% completed labs, and 39.1% completed labs and a PCP visit after education. A paired t-test showed that direct phone calls significantly improved compliance (p < 0.05) compared to secure messaging. Conclusion: This study highlights the important role of education in preventing advanced disease stages in patients with diabetes. It emphasizes effective methods for teaching patients about the purpose of all necessary labs and stresses the importance of regular monitoring with their PCP for proper diabetes management. Disclosure S.T. Naderi: None.