I always liked graphics to represent my certain thoughts into meaningful graphical diagrams or visuals. I think they are better off then mere words. So in this post I like to establish infographics that I wish to share with you I think that indirectly relates to the HIM/Medical Records Management profession.

Before that, I think Wkipedia can help us understand what is infographics.

“Information graphics or infographics are graphic visual representations of information, data or knowledge. These graphics present complex information quickly and clearly, such as in signs, maps, journalism, technical writing, and education. With an information graphic, computer scientists, mathematicians, and statisticians develop and communicate concepts using a single symbol to process information”.

To start off my postings on infographics , we sure know diabetes is one bad disease. If you are a diabetic or some next-of-kin is, a sample of blood from you or some next-of-kin will show a test result reading for a HbA1c or A1c test.

Ever wondered what this test is all about?

So here is one nice infographic on Diabetes Control Chart to tell you what Glycated/Glycosylated Hemoglobin(HbA1c or A1c test) is all about.

I am not saying infographics say it all or are stand-alone. So I think some words to go along can do justice to an infographic like this one and also as a background to better understand the infographic.

So here goes – the HbA1c or A1c test is used as a guide to know what is your average blood glucose level during the past three months. Glucose tends to stick to red blood cells (RBCs) – so the more the glucose in the blood, the more RBCs have glucose on their surface. Normally 4 to 6 red cells in 100 have glucose attached to their surface; hence the range of HbA1c in a normal person is 4 to 6% (4/100 to 6/100 multiplied by 100 to give your the %)

This infographic is intended to show you instantly and graphically the HbA1c test Score, mean blood, and glucose levels in the EXCELLENT, GOOD & POOR ranges, those who already know about their HbA1c test result just use the Diabetes Control Chart to know their range and how well their diabetes is under control.

So the next time you find HbA1c or A1c test recorded in the patient clinical record, or in the Lab results attachments of your medical record, you know it already.

Any ways for Type 1 and Type II diabetics, better control of glucose means lesser the complications of diabetes related to your heart, blood vessels, kidneys, brain, nerves, eyes and feet. Keeping your sugars under control means healthier and longer life. It is worth all your efforts.