American Diabetes Association recognizes JARMC's diabetes education program

By Staff
TEAM WORK Members of the Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center Diabetes Self Management Team are Denise Roberts, seated left, registered dietitian; Terri Patterson, seated right, registered nurse and certified diabetes educator; Betty Roberts, standing left, registered nurse and certified diabetes educator; and Debra Brantley, standing right, office manager.SUBMITTED PHOTO
June 13, 2004
special to The Star
The Diabetes Self-Management Center at Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center has received the American Diabetes Association Education Recognition Certificate.
The ADA believes this program offers high-quality education services to the patients it serves.
The ADA considers self-management education to be an essential component in diabetes treatment. One of the results of compliance with the National Standards is the greater consistency of quality and quantity of education offered to people with diabetes.
The ADA's Recognition Certificate assures the educational program meets National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education Programs. These Standards were developed under the support of the National Diabetes Advisory Board in 1983, and have been revised in 2000 by the diabetes community. Education Recognition status is awarded for three years and verified by an official certificated from the ADA.
Programs applying for Education Recognition voluntarily submit to a thorough review process by experts in the field of diabetes. These experts evaluate each program on its ability to provide patients with a comprehensive individualized education program. Programs receiving Education Recognition have a staff of knowledgeable health professionals who are able to provide participants with comprehensive information about diabetes management.
Approved education programs cover a wide range of topics including: diabetes overview, stress and psychosocial adjustment, family involvement and social support, nutrition, exercise and activity, medications, the use of health care systems and community resources, and many more.
According to Patterson, through the support of the health care team and increased knowledge and awareness of diabetes, the patient can assume a major part of the responsibility for his or her own diabetes management. The ADA believes that unnecessary hospital admissions and some of the acute and chronic complications of diabetes may be prevented through self-management education.
For more information on recognized education programs or other American Diabetes Association programs, call (601) 553-6399 or contact the ADA online at www.diabetes.org.