Chatham Hospital's Diabetes Self-Management Program Merits American Diabetes Association (ADA) Recognition
The prestigious American Diabetes Association (ADA) Education Recognition Certificate for a quality diabetes self-management education program was recently awarded to Chatham Hospital. The program was originally recognized in August of 2006 and has a renewed status for another four year period. ADA believes that this program offers high-quality education that is an essential component of effective diabetes treatment.
The Association’s Education Recognition Certificate assures that educational programs meet the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education Programs. These Standards were developed and tested under the auspices of the National Diabetes Advisory Board in 1983 and were revised by the diabetes community in 1994, 2000, 2007 and 2012.
Programs apply for Recognition voluntarily. Programs that achieve Recognition status have a staff of knowledgeable health professionals who can provide participants with comprehensive information about diabetes management. “The process gives professionals a national standard by which to measure the quality of services they provide, comments Doris Welborn, Chatham Hospital's Diabetes Coordinator. “And, of course, it assures the consumer that he or she will likely receive high-quality service.” Education Recognition status is verified by an official certificate from ADA and awarded for four years.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2017 National Diabetes Statistic Report there are 30.3 million people or 9.4% of the population in the United States who have diabetes. While an estimated 23.1 million have been diagnosed, unfortunately, 7.2 million people are not aware that they have this disease. Each day more than 3,900 people are diagnosed with diabetes. Many will first learn that they have diabetes when they are treated for one of its life-threatening complications – heart disease and stroke, kidney disease, blindness, and nerve disease and amputation. About 1.5 million new cases of diabetes were diagnosed in people aged 18 years or older in 2015. Diabetes continues to be the seventh leading cause of death in the US in 2015 as it contributed to 252,806 deaths.
The American Diabetes Association is the nation’s leading non-profit health organization supporting diabetes research, advocacy and information for health professionals, patients and the public. Founded in 1940, the Association conducts programs in communities nationwide.
More about Chatham Hospital’s Diabetes Program
In addition to self-management education, Chatham Hospital’s Diabetes Program offers the latest technology through the Professional Libre iPRO Continuous Glucose Monitor System (CGMS). The CGMS is a blinded study, providing 14 days of continuous blood sugar data for the patient. The sensor data is then download into a computer to allow educators to assess the results and formulate a plan for the patient. The CGMS is state of the art technology offered through a referral from primary care providers.
Additional services include starting patients on insulin pumps and managing existing insulin pumps. People with diabetes may receive an insulin pump with settings keyed into the pump at the initial visit; it is important to evaluate patterns at different times to see if changes need to occur.
Chatham Hospital’s Diabetes Program serves Chatham County and the surrounding areas, striving for excellent care and optimal patient outcomes. If you would like to learn more about our Diabetes Program, contact Doris Welborn at 919-799-4720.
