Diabetes program merits ADA recognition

10/1/2009

The prestigious American Diabetes Association (ADA) Education Recognition Certificate for a quality diabetes self-management education was recently awarded to Kittitas Valley Community Hospital’s Diabetes Education Department. 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 education programs meet the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education Programs. These standards were revised by the diabetes community in 1994 and 2000.

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,” said Pamela Dick, MS, RD diabetes educator and registered dietitian at KVCH. “And, of course, it assures the consumer that he or she will likely receive high Education Recognition status is verified by an official certificate from ADA and awarded for three years.”

According to the American Diabetes Association, there were 20.8 million people or 7 percent of the population in the United States who have diabetes. While an estimate14.6 million have been diagnosed, unfortunately, 6.2 million people are not aware that they have this disease. 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.

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 has an area office in every state and conducts programs in communities nationwide.

About the Diabetes Education Department

KVCH offers a comprehensive diabetes education program under the supervision of experienced diabetes teaching team including a certified diabetes educator, registered nurse, and registered dietitians.

The diabetes education program provides the latest information on nutrition and diabetes self-management training and covers topics such as blood glucose monitoring, foot care, medication/insulin administration, meal planning and weight loss.

For more information about KVCH’s Diabetes Education Program, please call 509-962-7373.