Can collaborative working improve diabetic retinal screening rates in individuals also diagnosed with a severe mental illness?

Abstract

We aimed to create a collaborative data sharing project between two NHS trusts to improve attendance and access to diabetic retinopathy screening in individuals with severe mental illness (SMI). MethodsThe eligible patient lists were analysed before and after interventions to assess their effectiveness over two data runs. ResultsScreening attendance rates increased by 31% and 25% in the data runs; a significant number of patients (15%) who were screened required onward referral to hospital eye services. Patient registrations increased from 35% to 86% for previously not registered individuals. Inpatients were around 50% more likely to get screened and registered than community patients. ConclusionInformation sharing and collaborative working between services can improve patient health outcomes, increasing the number of eligible individuals with SMI registered and improving attendance. The project shows the potential for future data sharing collaborations, highlighting the need for further improvement, development and investment.

Existing and emerging GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy: Ramifications for diabetic retinopathy screening

“…13,14 Hence, the timeline of rapidly improving metabolic control would correspond in perfect symmetry to make contact and liaise with the diabetic screening service in this select group of patients. Information sharing and collaborative working between services can improve patient health outcomes, as demonstrated in other difficult and challenging situations, 15 and this is not necessarily required as a blanket approach in all diabetic patients. 16…”

“…13,14 Hence, the timeline of rapidly improving metabolic control would correspond in perfect symmetry to make contact and liaise with the diabetic screening service in this select group of patients. Information sharing and collaborative working between services can improve patient health outcomes, as demonstrated in other difficult and challenging situations, 15 and this is not necessarily required as a blanket approach in all diabetic patients. 16 It is therefore imperative to remember that the development of new DR or indeed the worsening of pre-existing DR should not deter clinicians from trying to achieve tight glycaemic control, as persistent hyperglycaemia has more deleterious effects on DR than this paradoxical phenomenon which is temporary.…”

Optimising renal risk parameters in type 2 diabetes mellitus: Perspectives from a retinal viewpoint

“… 13 It is therefore prudent to collaborate with the retinal specialist and local diabetic eye screening programme in such situations where challenging clinical scenarios warrant close observation and a more watchful approach. 14 …”