 January 26, 2007
The ADA Education Recognition effort, begun in the fall of 1986, is a voluntary process, which assures that approved education programs have met the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education. There are only six such programs in Alaska. Programs that achieve recognition have a staff of knowledgeable health professionals who can provide state-of-the-art information about diabetes management. KGH Educator achieves renewed credential At KGH the Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) is Janet Hanna, RN, CDE. Hanna has recently renewed her CDE status by successfully completing the continuing education renewal process. Candidates must meet rigorous credential and professional practice experience requirements to be eligible for certification. Her credential demonstrates to patients that Hanna possesses distinct and specialized knowledge, thereby promoting quality of care for patients with diabetes. There are currently more than 15,000 educators who hold the CDE credential, though only 16 in Alaska. Self-management education is an essential component of diabetes treatment. The KGH program offers a monthly support group, which averages 15 participants. A wide variety of topics such as foot care, glycemic index, and heart disease are discussed, speakers are often brought in, and social events occur as well. In addition to the support group, ten-hour group classes are held every three or four months. An average of 240 participants and their families use the KGH Diabetes Education program annually. One consequence of a program's compliance with the national standards is the greater consistency in the quality and quantity of education offered to people with diabetes. The participant in an ADA Recognized program will be taught, as needed, self-care skills that will promote better management of his or her diabetes treatment regimen. All approved education programs must cover the following topics:
Through the support of the health care team and increased knowledge and awareness of diabetes, the patient can assume a major part of the responsibility for his or her diabetes management. Unnecessary hospital admissions and some of the acute and chronic complications may be prevented through education such as this. "The recognition process gives professionals a national standard by which to measure the quality of the services they provide", commented Hanna. "And, or course, it helps consumers to find these quality programs." The local program is located in the Wilson Clinic at 212 Carlanna Lake Road, Suite 100.
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