HealthAlliance diabetes education program merits recognition

HealthAlliance Hospital diabetes selfmanagement education program has been awarded continued Recognition from the American Diabetes Association (ADA). The program was initially recognized in March of 2002. This program offers highquality education services for adults with Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes.

The program that HealthAlliance Hospital has to offer consists of an initial individual assessment with the nurse and dietician. The patient is then entered into a group class that meets once per week for six weeks. "The program that we offer is comprehensive and is appropriate for the newly diagnosed diabetic to the seasoned diabetic, it gives the patient and their family the tools that they need to function at home with their diabetes," commented Dayna Girouard RN, BSN, CDE, Diabetes Education Coordinator at HealthAlliance Hospital.

Assuring high-quality education for patient self-care is one of the primary goals of the Education Recognition program. 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/her diabetes management. Unnecessary hospital admissions and some of the acute and chronic complications of diabetes may be prevented through selfmanagement education.

"The process provides a national standard by which to measure the quality of the services," commented Philip Heywood, Vice President of Business Development and Marketing at HealthAlliance Hospital. "It also helps consumers to identify these quality programs."

For more information, contact Dayna Girouard, RN, BSN, CDE, Diabetes Education Coordinator at (978) 466-4580.