An audit of diabetes care at 3 centres in Alexandria.

Selected indicators for structure, process and outcome of care were used to audit diabetes care in 3 centres in Alexandria. Structure was poor: main problems included absence of appointment and recall system, deficiencies in laboratory resources and lack of educational material. Process of care was poor for 69.2% of patients: deficiencies included absence of essential information in records and missing some essential clinical examinations. Degree of control was poor for 49.2% of patients and only 30.6% had no complications. Compliance to appointment was good for about 80% of patients. Better outcome (fewer complications and higher compliance) was significantly associated with poor process of care. This cannot, however, be considered a valid predictor of outcome as good care might be initiated by the presence of complications.