Local Physician Receives National Recognition for Providing Quality Diabetes Care

(Marion, Ohio) The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) recently announced that Michael J. Hayes, MD, has received recognition from the Diabetes Recognition Program for providing quality care to his patients with diabetes. Dr. Hayes is a member of OhioHealth Marion Area Physicians (MAP) and the medical staff of OhioHealth Marion General Hospital.

The Diabetes Recognition Program was designed to improve the quality of care that patients with diabetes receive by recognizing clinicians who deliver quality diabetes care, and by motivating other clinicians to document and improve their delivery of diabetes care. To receive recognition, which is valid for three years, Dr. Hayes submitted data that demonstrates performance that meets the program's key diabetes care measures. These measures include eye exams, blood pressure tests, nutrition therapy, and patient satisfaction, among others. When people with diabetes receive quality care as outlined by these measures, they are less likely to suffer complications such as heart attacks, stroke, blindness, kidney disease, and amputations.

"We are proud of the quality of diabetes care that Dr. Hayes provides for our patients," says Dave Miller, vice president of Operations, OhioHealth Marion Area Physicians. "His level of knowledge and expertise in the area of diabetes diagnosis, prevention and treatment is impressive."

"For a person with diabetes, the right clinician can make the difference between living with diabetes as opposed to suffering from diabetes," said Richard M. Bergenstal, MD, president, Medicine & Science, American Diabetes Association. "Clinicians who earn recognition through the Diabetes Recognition Program have an established track record of providing excellent diabetes care."

NCQA is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of health care organizations. It also recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. NCQA's Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®) is the most widely used performance measurement tool in health care. NCQA is committed to providing health care quality information for consumers, purchasers, health care providers, and researchers.

The American Diabetes Association is the nation's leading voluntary health organization supporting diabetes research, information and advocacy. Founded in 1940, the Association has offices in every region of the country, providing services to more than 800 communities.