SMH special diabetes grant program - navajo health foundation - sage memorial hospital (SMH) is a 25-bed acute and critical access hospital located in ganado, arizona on the navajo nation

IT serves eight surrounding communities including cornfields, ganado, greasewood, klagetoh, kinlichee, steamboat, wide ruins, and nazlini. The population for the service area is approximately 10,700 community members and SMH serves an average of 9,500 patients per year. According to data extracted from SMH's EHR system, in 2021 over 1,097 A1C tests were administered to 885 patients. Of these patients, approximately 236 patients (27%) had an A1C level between 5.7-6.49 indicating they were prediabetic and 363 patients (41%) had an A1C of 6.5 and over showing an indication of type 2 diabetes. For patients who had diabetes, 49% were female and 51% were male. For all patients who were tested, 68% came back with prediabetes or having diabetes so far in 2022 (january - september), 606 A1C tests have been administered to 530 patients. Of these patients, 169 (32%) were prediabetic, and 218 patients (41%) showed type 2 diabetes results. For patients with diabetes, 42% were female and 58% were male. Results for all patients who were tested, 73% showed they have prediabetes or have diabetes. According to the annual audit report, dental exams have not surpassed 40% for the target group for the past five years; therefore, SMH has chosen dental exam as its required key measure for 2023. The goal is to increase the percentage of patients who complete their oral exams as part of their standards of care to at least 80%. The diabetes team proposes to accomplish this through brief oral exams during each encounter, designating a day each month in the dental clinic specifically for patients with diabetes, and through awareness messaging. SMH's diabetes program is designed to address two of five highest health needs identified by its 2019 community health needs assessment: diabetes and obesity. Utilizing american diabetes association's standards of medical care in diabetes as a guide for comprehensive care, the diabetes team will continue to take a patient-centered care approach to treatment.