| Feb 8, 2005
MGHS Diabetes Self-Management Program
at Doctor’s Park in Escanaba earns ADA recognition
The Marquette
General Health System Diabetes Self-Management Program at Doctor’s Park Family Physicians has been awarded recognition from the American Diabetes Association
(ADA).
JoAnn Manty, MGHS Diabetes Education Program Supervisor, said that
ADA recognition can only be extended to programs with a minimum
of 20 patients. The MGHS program achieved this a mere six months
after its March 2004 release.
“
We applied for ADA recognition on Sept. 24, 2004, and were approved
in December,” Manty said.
The Marquette General satellite program in Escanaba strives to
provide increased diabetes awareness and knowledge through the
use of classes and other educational services. Diabetes nurse educator
Debbie Hirn is responsible for planning and conducting the educational
classes and seminars in Escanaba.
The program offers a broad variety of self-care related classes,
including diabetes overview, nutrition and exercise, pregnancy/gestational
diabetes issues, and prevention, detection and treatment of acute
and chronic complications. Classes are designed for the newly diagnosed,
as well as for those who simply wish to update their knowledge.
“It is extremely important for diabetes patients to keep current on self-care
management education,” Manty said. “Studies have shown that patients
who do not attend self-care classes have higher percentages of the negative side
affects often associated with diabetes, such as heart disease, eye problems and
kidney failure.”
Patients who haven’t been to a diabetes education class in the last three
years are appropriate candidates for referral to the MGHS Diabetes Self-Management
Program.
For more information, or to refer a patient, contact Hirn at 906-786-4628.
To learn more about the MGHS diabetes program, visit www.mgh.org/education/diabetes.html.
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