AMC Diabetes Education Program Merits ADA Reaccreditation

    SARANAC LAKE – The Diabetes Self-Management Education Program at Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake has been awarded re-accreditation from the American Diabetes Association for a three year period.
    The program at AMC was originally established in 1996, and was first accredited by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) in 2002.  AMC’s Diabetes Self-Management Education Program is a five-week comprehensive course taught by an interdisciplinary team of physicians, a pharmacist, physical therapist, registered nurses, and dietitian/certified diabetes educator Sharon Sorgule.  This is the third consecutive time the program has been accredited.
    “This accreditation attests to the dedication, teamwork, and commitment of our teaching team which has made the AMC Diabetes Self Management Education Program such a success,” said Sharon, who is also the program coordinator. “Self-management of diabetes is a critical feature, so it’s important to have access to people who can guide, coach and instruct people with diabetes in making appropriate lifestyle choices regarding meal planning and exercise, as well as the mechanical skills of management.”
    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 Standard for Diabetes Self –Management Programs.  Programs that achieve accreditation have a staff of knowledgeable health professionals who can provide state-of-the-art information about diabetes management for participants.
     As the accrediting organization, the ADA develops criteria for program curriculum, organizational structure, mission, goals, qualifications of teaching staff with mandatory continuing education, adequacy of resources, and the establishment of an overseeing advisory committee.  Equally important is the fact that the ADA evaluates outcomes from the program to ensure quality for those who participated.
    Self-management education is an essential component of diabetes treatment.  One benefit of compliance with the National Standards is the greater consistency in the quality and quantity of education offered to people with diabetes.  Education is so vitally important because a person with diabetes must be responsible for the day-to-day management of the disease due to medication, insulin, self-blood glucose monitoring, exercise and meal planning.  Also included in the sessions offered at AMC is valuable information on nutrition, exercise, medications, and prevention of acute and chronic complications.
    Other ailments in many instances can be managed through consulting with a physician alone. However, diabetes demands an informed and educated patient so that daily decisions can maximize management of the disease and blood-glucose levels, in addition to medical management by a physician.
    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.  By maintaining near normal glucose levels, a person living with diabetes can prevent or reduce the potential complications and other health risks associated with diabetes.
    Call 897-2611 for more information about the Diabetes Self-Management Education Program at AMC.  The next program begins Wednesday May 14.

CAPTION:
Members of the Diabetes Self-Management Program at AMC include (left to right) David A. Johnson, M.D.; Betsy Fuller, R.N.; Peter Jones, R.N.; Kathy Bonham, R.N.; Claude Roland, M.D.; Ellen Winchell, R.N.; and Sharon Sorgule, RD/CDE.  Missing from the photo are Richard Erenstone, M.D.; Peter Henry, Pharmacist; and Rick Preston, Physical Therapy.

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