March 19, 2002

Illini's Diabetes Program Earns ADA Recognition

Last summer, Illini Hospital's Diabetes Care Center launched a diabetes self-management program with a goal to earn recognition from the American Diabetes Association (ADA).

This month, the program attained that coveted certified ADA recognition and is now eligible for reimbursement by Medicare and other providers.

The good news is this: Now more patients and families in the Illinois Quad Cities will be able to attend the Diabetes Self Management Program. It begins with an individual appointment with the nurse and dietitian. Participants then come to two morning sessions in a group setting. They receive additional training in diet, glucose monitoring, medications, personal hygiene, social adjustments, and exercise. That's especially important because the disease is nearing epidemic proportions in the United States as baby boomers age and the nation becomes increasingly obese. People who manage their diabetes experience fewer health complications, says Kathy Cook, RN, Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) at Illini.

To obtain the recognition, the program had to fulfill extensive requirements in 10 different areas, including collecting six months of data on patients according to Diane Bartz-Zabel, RD, CDE, Illini Diabetes Care Center Coordinator.

The program was established in cooperation with the Diabetes Care Center at Genesis Medical Center. "We were successful in our first attempt to receive ADA recognition in large part due to the excellent help we received from the Diabetes Care Center at Genesis Medical Center," says Donna Sivertsen, RD, LD, Chief Clinical Dietitian at Illini.

Although patients retain their own primary physician, the program is overseen by Dr. Brian Anderson, D.O., the program's medical director.

For more information, call 309-792-4389.