Assessment of the quality of care delivered at the diabetes clinicof Ain Shams University Children's hospital

Abstract

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) in childhood is the most common chronic illness in childhood and adolescence, with important consequences for physical and emotional development. Individuals with T1D confront serious life style alterations that include an absolute daily requirement for exogenous insulin, the need to monitor their own glucose control, and the need to pay attention to dietary intake and exercise. Morbidity and mortality stem from acute derangements (DKA) and from long term complications (usually in adulthood) that affect small and large vessels resulting in retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, ischemic heart disease, and arterial obstruction with gangrene of the extremities. Improvement in quality of care determined by care practices that improve outcomes will decrease the overall lifetime cost of diabetes by decreasing acute and chronic complications of diabetes and will normalize life expectancy. More importantly improving outcomes will improve quality of life for individuals with diabetes and their families Moreover, the great variation in quality of medical performance between different organizations has an impact on the outcome in terms of acute and chronic complications adding to the importance of assessing the quality of health services.