St. Joseph Medical Center?s Diabetes Self-Management Education Program provides excellent information for diabetics, according to the American Diabetes Association.
The ADA awarded the Education Recognition certification to the St. Joseph Medical Center for the third time.
“We feel very proud that we?re recognized for our quality program, and we are very happy to continue to help with diabetes to lead healthier lives,” said nurse Bernadette White, director of diabetes education.
Diabetes is a disease that makes the body stop producing the hormone insulin or use the insulin improperly. Insulin is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy. The cause of diabetes is unknown, but both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to have a role in its development, according to the ADA Web site.
There are four major types of diabetes: Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes and pre-diabetes.
The Diabetes Self-Management Education Program focuses on three major areas. “The initial training consists of a one-hour individual assessment by a certified diabetes educator and nine hours of group education taught by multidisciplinary staff of certified diabetes educators, nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, exercised physiologists and psychiatric nurses,” White said.
After the first round of education, a two-hour annual follow-up class is offered.
“Managing diabetes is a lifelong process that requires continual education,” she said.
The patients at St. Joseph will benefit from this certification various ways, White said. “They can come to a nationally recognized education program and learn to manage their diabetes, avoid complications of uncontrolled diabetes, and they can get insurance reimbursement,” she said.
