By TMC HealthCare
It’s a must for those handling the disease’s challenges
The Tucson Medical Center Diabetes Education program is one of the largest in the city. It boasts inpatient and outpatient educators. They are registered nurses and registered dietitians who have been certified in diabetes education. Inpatient diabetes educators are available 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., seven days a week including holidays.
Here are more facts about the program.
• Our inpatient diabetes educators ensure a safer patient discharge which reduces re-admissions.
Patients leave the hospital with a clearer understanding of their diabetes medications, how to take them and the survival skills needed to manage their diabetes. Patients are given the supplies needed to monitor and keep track of blood glucose levels. Patients are encouraged to take the blood glucose results to their provider to help manage diabetes. They also provide education on how to make healthier choices when planning meals and snacks.
• Diabetes education isn’t for patients alone.
Certified diabetes educators (CDEs) provide education to patients as well as Tucson Medical Center staff. As a resource, diabetes educators alert providers to potential barriers to a safe discharge. CDEs provide timely education for our nursing staff. Insulin pump charting, diabetes medication interactions, recognizing blood glucose trends and interventions for hypo/hyperglycemia are some of the topics taught.
• TMC’s outpatient diabetes program is recognized by the American Diabetes Association.
Our outpatient program includes one-to-one education on topics like meal planning, gestational diabetes and intensive insulin or advanced insulin pump training. The self-management program consists of 10 hours of training. Classes are offered 4 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturdays. A physician referral is required, and most insurance companies will cover the program.
Journey for Control is a free class for individuals with pre-diabetes or those newly diagnosed. This class meets 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesdays. Classes meet starting on the first Wednesday of the month for four consecutive weeks.
The newest class, the Diabetes Prevention Program, is pending Medicare certification. It is a year-long program for individuals with pre-diabetes or at risk to develop type-2 diabetes. The class meets in the evenings; the time is to be determined.
All programs are held at the El Dorado campus with our Certified Diabetes Educators as trainers and certified lifestyle coaches. Patients with diabetes are encouraged to attend classes every three to five years to stay up-to-date with the newest information available regarding diabetes.
We’re focused on you!
The diabetes education team is patient-focused, keeping TMC’s mission in mind to provide exceptional education with compassion for all.
