MDH Earns Recognition from the American Diabetes Association

MACOMB, Ill. – The American Diabetes Association, the nation’s leading organization committed to fighting diabetes by driving discovery through research and innovation, intensifying the urgency around the diabetes epidemic and supporting people living with and affected by diabetes, announced the continued recognition of McDonough District Hospital through the Education Recognition Program (ERP).

The ADA’s Education Recognition Certificate assures that educational services meet the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES).

MDH’s Self-Management Diabetes Education program provides high-quality education for patient self-care, one of the primary goals of the ERP. Through the support of the MDH healthcare team and increased knowledge and awareness of diabetes, the patient can assume a major part of the responsibility for his/her diabetes management. Unnecessary hospital admissions and some of the acute and chronic complications of diabetes may be prevented through self-management education.

“This program is essential in providing the necessary tools for our patients to manage their diabetes diagnosis,” said Torie Kreps, RN, Diabetes Educator at MDH. “Studies have shown when people with diabetes complete a certified education program they reduce their risk of diabetes complications and are more likely to have control of their glucose levels. We are committed to providing high-quality, evidence-based education and support for people with diabetes.”

Services certified by the ADA’s Education Recognition Program offer a staff of knowledgeable health professionals who can provide participants with comprehensive information about diabetes management. MDH applied for recognition voluntarily, and ERP recognition lasts for four years.

“This ADA designation is representative of Torie Kreps, RN, dedication to delivering top-notch evidence-based diabetes education to the Macomb community,” said Phyllis McLouth, PT, DPT, Director of MDH Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation, who oversees Diabetes Education.

According to the CDC, participation in DSMES is linked to positive changes in health behaviors and improved diabetes-related outcomes. Benefits of DSMES participation include:

• Improved hemoglobin A1C levels.
• Improved management of blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
• Higher rates of medication adherence.
• Fewer or less-severe diabetes-related complications.
• Healthier lifestyle behaviors, such as better nutrition, increased physical activity, and use of primary care and preventive services.
• Enhanced self-efficacy.
• Decreased health care costs, including fewer hospital admissions and readmissions.

The DSMES standards were developed and tested under the auspices of the National Diabetes Advisory Board in 1983 and revised by the diabetes community five times since.

“Daily self-management skills are absolutely essential for people to effectively navigate the 24/7 challenges of living with diabetes, helping to keep them healthy and prevent or delay the serious complications of diabetes,” said Linda Cann, MSEd, the ADA’s senior vice president of professional services. “We applaud McDonough District Hospital for its commitment to providing high-quality, evidence-based education and support for people with diabetes by meeting the National Standards for DSME/S and earning the ADA’s ERP recognition.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) 2017 National Diabetes Statistic Report there are 30.3 million people or 9.4% of the population in the United States who have diabetes. While an estimated 23.1 million have been diagnosed, unfortunately, 7.2 million people are not aware that they have this disease. Each day, more than 4,110 Americans are diagnosed with diabetes. Many will first learn that they have diabetes when they are treated for one of its life-threatening complications – heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, nerve disease, and amputation.

Diabetes continues to be the seventh leading cause of death in the US—in 2015, it contributed to 252,806 deaths. The ADA’s Economic Costs of Diabetes in the U.S. in 2017 confirms diabetes as the nation’s most expensive chronic health care condition at $327 billion.

About the American Diabetes Association

Nearly half of American adults have diabetes or prediabetes; more than 30 million adults and children have diabetes; and every 21 seconds, another individual is diagnosed with diabetes in the U.S. Founded in 1940, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) is the nation’s leading voluntary health organization whose mission is to prevent and cure diabetes, and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. The ADA drives discovery by funding research to treat, manage and prevent all types of diabetes, as well as to search for cures; raises voice to the urgency of the diabetes epidemic; and works to safeguard policies and programs that protect people with diabetes. In addition, the ADA supports people living with diabetes, those at risk of developing diabetes, and the health care professionals who serve them through information and programs that can improve health outcomes and quality of life. For more information, please call the ADA at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit diabetes.org. Information from both of these sources is available in English and Spanish. Find us on Facebook (American Diabetes Association), Twitter (@AmDiabetesAssn) and Instagram (@AmDiabetesAssn).