Mercy Hospital Ada’s diabetes self-management education program has been recognized by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) for offering high-quality education that is an essential component of effective diabetes treatment.
The association’s education recognition certificate indicates that educational programs meet the national standards for diabetes self-management education programs. Compliance with the national standards creates greater consistency in the quality and quantity of education offered to people with diabetes.
Participants in ADA-recognized programs will be taught self-care skills, as needed, that will promote better management of treatment regimen. All approved education programs cover the following topics (if necessary): diabetes disease process; nutritional management; physical activity; medications; monitoring; preventing, detecting and treating acute complications; preventing, detecting and treating chronic complications through risk reduction; goal setting and problem solving; psychological adjustment; and management of diabetes during pregnancy
Programs that achieve recognition status have a staff of knowledgeable health professionals who can provide comprehensive information about diabetes management to participants. Mercy’s diabetes education team consists of a certified diabetes education registered nurse, a registered dietitian and a pharmacist.
“Our diabetes education program allows us to help in prevention and management of diabetes for a large population of citizens in the Ada area,” said Connie Christy, registered nurse and diabetes educator at Mercy Hospital Ada. “This area has a great need for this programming and we are proud to receive recognition from the ADA for our high-quality diabetes education program.”
Through the program, Mercy offers education classes on the first and second Tuesday of each month from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the hospital classrooms. In partnership with the Chickasaw Nation, Mercy hosts a diabetes support group on the third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. in hospital classrooms. Individual consultations are also available through the diabetes education program, upon request.
For more information about the diabetes education program at Mercy Hospital Ada, please contact Connie Christy by phone at: (580) 421-1511 or email [email protected].
