Jennersville’s Diabetes Program Earns Recognition
The Hospital’s Diabetes Education Program, coordinated by Lois Ferreri, RN, MEd, was recently awarded a Recognition Certificate from the American Diabetes Association, a designation that indicates the program’s outstanding quality.
“This honor validates what we already knew about the Program. We offer high-quality, comprehensive education, an essential component of effective diabetes management” says May Oboryshko, RN, director of the Cancer Program, who has oversight for the service. “It also assures our patients that the professional staff is very knowledgeable and that the program meets national standards set by the National Diabetes Advisory Board.”
Previously certified, programs voluntarily reapply for recognition every three years. At the core of the program is a three-session class that gives patients the tools they need to help manage the disease.
“We start with the basics because it’s important for participants to fully understand what diabetes is and how it affects their bodies,” notes Lois who is a certified Diabetes Educator and the Insulin Pump Trainer. The class also covers essentials such as exercise, blood glucose monitoring, stress management, medications, meal planning and nutrition, foot care and avoiding complications. Physicians also can refer patients for one-on-one sessions for gestational diabetes management, an introduction to insulin pump therapy, intensive diabetes management and glucose monitoring.
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According to ADA, there are 14.6 million people in this country with known cases of Diabetes. Each day more than 4000 are diagnosed often due to the fact they are being treated for one of its life-threatening complications -- heart disease and stroke, kidney disease, blindness, nerve disease or amputation. The organization estimates that there are 6.2 million people unaware that they have the disease.
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