Quality Improvement Methods for Improving Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Rates at a Large Academic Medical Center and Affiliate Medical Group.

Abstract

Diabetic eye exams are essential for the detection of diabetic retinopathy (DR); however, screening rates remain below the Healthy People 2030 target of 70%. At Northwestern Medicine, screening rates for DR were as low as 49.7%, highlighting care gaps in Chicagoland. A qualitative improvement initiative informed through Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles, root cause analysis, and data-driven decision-making was implemented. Key interventions included point-of-care retinal imaging, previsit questionnaires, practice advisory tools, clinical decision support updates, and community health worker integration. Screening rates of DR significantly increased from 49.7% to 57% within a 22-month period by improving patient access and care coordination. Same-day exam availability, seamless referrals, and targeted outreach addressed barriers to care while closing gaps effectively. This article offers interventions for elevating diabetic eye exam screening rates while sharing lessons learned and resources to adopt best practices that benefit patient outcomes and health care systems.