FMCH diabetes education program merits ADA recognition

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BY PCC STAFF

FORT MADISON – The Fort Madison Community Hospital (FMCH) diabetes self-management education program has been awarded continued Recognition from the American Diabetes Association (ADA). The program was originally recognized in January of 2001. This program offers high-quality education services to the patients it serves.

MEHMERT

Self-management education is an essential component of diabetes treatment at FMCH. One consequence of compliance with the National Standards is the greater consistency in the quality and quantity of education offered to people with diabetes. The participant in the FMCH Diabetes Self-Management Education Program, an ADA Recognized program, will be taught, as needed, self-care skills that will promote better management of his or her diabetes treatment regimen. All approved education programs cover the following topics as needed: diabetes disease process; nutritional management; physical activity; medications; monitoring; preventing, detecting, and treating acute complications; risk reduction; goal setting and problem solving; psychological adjustment; and preconception care, management during pregnancy, and gestational management. Unnecessary hospital admissions and some of the acute and chronic complications of diabetes may be prevented through self-management education.

“We feel strongly this endorsement by the ADA is an important part of our program. Our patients with diabetes can trust the education and support they receive from our team at FMCH is of the highest quality using proven information and techniques. Our goal is to help our patients live healthy, active, independent lives with this diagnosis,” explained Cathy Mehmert, Certified Diabetes Educator.

The ADA Education Recognition effort, begun in the fall of 1986, is a voluntary process which assures that approved education programs have met the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education Programs. Programs that achieve Recognition status have a staff of knowledgeable health professionals who can provide state-of-the-art information about diabetes management for participants. 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.

For more information on the FMCH Diabetes Self-Management Education Program, contact Cathy Mehmert, RD, LD, CDE at Fort Madison Community Hospital, 319-376-2230.

diabetes, diabetes care, FMCH, Pen City Current

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