Diabetes patient at risk score - a novel system for triaging appropriate referrals of inpatients with diabetes to the diabetes team

The acceptability, uptake and effectiveness of a new referral tool - the diabetes patient at risk (DPAR) score - were evaluated and the timeliness of review of referred inpatients by the diabetes team was measured. For this, a snapshot survey of ward healthcare professionals (HCPs) and a review of all DPAR referrals to the diabetes team between 1 September 2013 and 31 January 2014 were undertaken. All referrals in November 2013 were audited for timeliness of review. 77% of HCPs agreed/strongly agreed that the tool improved access to the diabetes team. 76% of referrals were from nurses. 80% of who should have been referred were referred; the remaining had already been reviewed by the diabetes team and therefore did not require referral. Only 11% of referrals were inappropriate. All DPAR referrals were reviewed within the stipulated time period in November 2013. Overall, the DPAR system was well accepted, successfully identified appropriate referrals and facilitated referrals in a timely manner to the diabetes team.