Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Catherine Garner

Abstract

AbstractDiabetes is among chronic or lifestyle-related illnesses posing health care challenges at epidemic proportions, pressuring health care systems infrastructure for positive outcome-driven practices and sustainable costs, as continued research suggests that obese people are up to 80 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. In June 2021, a weight-loss and wellness center serving this high-risk population established recommended guidelines for Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) screening and education. During the initial 3 months of implementation, data findings captured 37% in a total of 220 with elevated HbA1C levels. The gap in practice is that the Wellness Center did not have a program specifically for the prediabetes or diabetes subpopulation. The purpose of this project was to develop a best-practice weight-loss program for this specific population to promote reduction in HbA1C levels. The practice-guided question addressed whether an interprofessional team would adapt the current weight-loss program to accommodate prediabetes and diabetic patients. Five key components were agreed upon: a prediabetes risk test, routine HbA1C screening, the addition of a diabetes cocondition screening checklist, behavior topic videos, and the use of a self-maintenance education tool. The collaborative group consisted of staff volunteer nurse practitioners, one herbal doctor, and medical assistants from the project site. Collaboratively the participants rated the guideline using the AGREE II criteria, with a score of 98.1% agreement on the seven domains. This project improves the provision of weight loss for those with elevated HbA1C levels and potentially decreases the need for diabetic management in patients,

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