News

November 2006

RELEASE UPON RECEIPT 1 November, 2006

For more information, contact:     Anne Thomure, Director Hospital/Community Relations 618-257-5649

MEMORIAL’S DIABETES EDUCATION PROGRAM
EARNS RECOGNITION FROM ADA

The prestigious American Diabetes Association (ADA) Education Recognition Certificate for a quality diabetes self-management education program recently was awarded to the Center for Diabetes Education at Memorial Hospital in Belleville.  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 educational programs meet the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education Programs.  These Standards were developed and tested under the auspices of the National Diabetes Advisory Board in 1983 and were revised 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 national standards by which to measure the quality of services they provide,” said Nancy Weston, RN, vice president – nursing services at Memorial.  “This accreditation validates the high-quality  service that the program provides to patients receiving diabetes outpatient management education.”  Education Recognition status is verified by an official certificate from ADA and awarded for three years.

According to the American Diabetes Association, there are 20.8 million people or seven percent of the population in the United States who have diabetes.  While an estimated 14.6 million have been diagnosed, unfortunately, 6.2 million people are not aware that they have this disease.  Each day approximately 4,110 people are diagnosed with diabetes.

The Center for Diabetes Education at Memorial Hospital offers an individualized multi-disciplinary approach to diabetes management.  Physician referral is required.  For more information, call Memorial’s Center for Diabetes Education at 618-257-4800.

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