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Education on diet, exercise, behavior and coping important for diabetes patients, say hospital staffers in Ogdensburg

Posted 4/9/13

Claxton-Hepburn’s Diabetes Self-Management Education team members Michael Seidman, Allison Felt, Karen Cole and Michelle Morrow. OGDENSBURG -- Patient education about nutrition, diet, exercise, …

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Education on diet, exercise, behavior and coping important for diabetes patients, say hospital staffers in Ogdensburg

Posted

Claxton-Hepburn’s Diabetes Self-Management Education team members Michael Seidman, Allison Felt, Karen Cole and Michelle Morrow.

OGDENSBURG -- Patient education about nutrition, diet, exercise, behavior, coping and pharmacotherapy is essential for diabetic patients, according to Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center staffers.

Nearly 26 million Americans have diabetes; an additional 79 million have pre-diabetes and the prevalence of diabetes continues to rise.

Diabetes is associated with an increased risk of hospitalization.

Patients who are taught to “self manage” their disease can optimize their care and prevent diabetes-related complications by learning to achieve appropriate blood pressure, lipid, glucose and blood A1C goals.

The A1C measures the average level of glucose in a patient’s blood over 2-3 months. An A1C of seven percent is the goal for most people with diabetes.

In 2012, the Diabetes Self-Management Education Program at Claxton-Hepburn saw 129 patients. One patient had type 1 diabetes, 10 had gestational diabetes, six had pre-diabetes and 110 had type 2 diabetes. At the beginning of the program 23 percent of patients had an A1C measurement under seven percent. After the program 35 percent of patients reached the seven percent goal.

Patients are entered into the program following a physician referral. Patients received individual sessions with diabetes educator, Karen Cole. Patients then attend a three-week course. Courses this year will be offered in May and October.

For more information on the self-management program contact Cole at 713-5181.