Request for Applications: Expanding Diabetic Retinopathy Screening to Safety-Net and Rural Clinics in California
Third Funding Cycle; Apply Now Through October 2010
June 2010
An innovative project that helps prevent diabetes-related blindness is receiving a third round of funding to further expand the statewide effort to eventually serve some 100 clinics and 100,000 patients. The California HealthCare Foundation (CHCF) has issued this Request for Applications (RFA) and encourages safety-net and rural clinics in California to apply for participation in the program.
Most clinics are challenged to improve their diabetic retinopathy screening rates because many patients, especially those at highest risk for eye disease, often do not obtain or keep their screening appointments. By providing exams at the time of the primary care visit, patients with diabetes are much more likely to receive the necessary retinal exams and the primary care providers are more likely to receive the results.
Pilot project clinics experienced considerable improvements in diabetic retinopathy screening rates and more timely referrals to specialists for treatment. In addition, the clinics used the retinal images as powerful tools to engage patients in diabetes self-management. A six-minute video describing the program can be viewed at the link below.
CHCF has issued an additional request for applications from new clinics with a high volume of diabetes patients to implement retinopathy screening. Clinics should have an interest in:
- Integrating retinopathy screening services into primary care;
- Having access to a no-cost retinal camera system (valued at $24,000);
- Receiving training of staff for retinal photography;
- Establishing an on-site screening program, with access to EyePACS retinal care software;
- Participation in a learning community focused on to improving clinic screening programs; and
- Receiving diabetic retinopathy screening reading services and reports by eye care professionals.
UC Berkeley will offer reading services at a low cost of $15 per screen for participating clinic organizations. Priority for program participation will be given to clinics with large diabetic patient populations (able to screen 700 to 1,000 patients per year) and those utilizing UC Berkeley's reading services. The program will provide cameras and technical assistance, including the EyePACS software, and a learning community for clinics who meet the criteria above.
Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis beginning in June and continuing through October 2010, subject to funding availability.
The complete Request for Applications and the required application form can be found under Document Downloads.