Case Study: The Diabetes Center achieves rapid paperless launch, improved diabetes outcomes and strong ROI with CompuGroup Medical (CGM eMDs)

Davies Award Winner Credits eMDs for Success

The Diabetes Center, founded by nurse practitioner K.C. Arnold in Ocean Springs, MS after Hurricane Katrina, was launched to fill an urgent local need when the regional endocrinology clinic closed. Facing a tight three-week timetable to open in November 2005 and limited billing experience, Arnold chose CGM eMDs—a system she and her first employee already knew—for charting, scheduling and practice management.

With a dedicated project manager, local IT support and coordinated interfaces (Quest Diagnostics, the Mississippi HIE, insulin pumps and glucometers), the practice went live on day one and began receiving payer payments within months. The paperless, customizable EHR, templates and patient portal drove measurable quality gains (A1c >9% in 24% of patients vs. 56% in Texas and 28% nationally; BP control 51% vs. 29%/33%; LDL <100 in 54% vs. 30%/45%), lean staffing (≈2,500 active patients, ~20 visits/day, four staff), profitability in year one, loan payoff, and recognition including NP Entrepreneur of the Year and a HIMSS Davies Ambulatory Award.

The Diabetes Center

K.C. Arnold

Nurse Practitioner