Quality indicators assessing diabetes care have been
widely developed and applied as a public health strategy
in many countries [4]. For instance, the National
Diabetes Quality Improvement Alliance (NDQIA) that
involves 13 American organizations, including the
American Diabetes Association (ADA), chose and set
quality indicators: process measures (annually receiving
one or more Hb A1c tests/at least one lipid profile/any
test for microalbuminuria/dilated retinal eye
examination/foot examination/influenza immunization,
aspirin use, smoking cessation, pregnancy counseling)
and outcome measures (HbA1c, LDL-cholesterol, microalbuminuria,
blood pressure [BP]) [5]. These quality indicators
were selected based on evidences demonstrating that adherence to those standards improved diabetic care
and patient outcomes.