Members of the Diabetes Oversight Advisory Committee consist of a medical director, diabetes educators, patients, community members and interdisciplinary staff from various hospital departments. The Oversight Advisory Committee is a requirement for the program's accreditation. The committee meets annually to discuss the accomplishments and goals of the program and give feedback on operations and performance. Photo by: Courtesy to the Ledger Dispatch

The Outpatient Diabetes Education Program at Sutter Amador Hospital was recently awarded continued recognition from the American Diabetes Association.

The program, which was originally recognized in May 2000, offers high-quality diabetes education services to patients from Amador County and the surrounding areas.

Outpatient Diabetes Education Programs apply for ADA recognition voluntarily. The ADA Education Recognition Certification assures that education programs, like the one at SAH, have met the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education Programs.

"Through our diabetes education program, patients with diabetes are taught the skills they need to manage their own diabetes," said Dr. Geraldine O'Shea, the program medical director. "And, because we are recognized by the American Diabetes Association, patients and their providers can be confident knowing they are being cared for by professionals who have met and comply with national standards."

All diabetes education programs approved by the ADA cover the following topics as needed: 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 preconception care, management during pregnancy and gestational management.

"Assuring high-quality education for patient self-care is one of the primary goals of our program," said Kim Vagt, director of the Diabetes Outpatient Education Program and Food and Nutrition Services. "With the knowledge, expertise and commitment of our diabetes educators, patients are increasing their knowledge and awareness of diabetes, allowing them to assume a major part of the responsibility for their diabetes management."

Patients from both Amador and Calaveras counties can take advantage of SAH's ADA-recognized diabetes program by being referred by their health care provider. A monthly diabetes support group, which meets the fourth Thursday of each month at the hospital, is also available and is offered free to all members of the community.

Anyone newly diagnosed with diabetes or any person with diabetes for many years can call to learn more about the newest up-to-date information on how to manage diabetes. For more information about SAH's Outpatient Diabetes Education Program, call 223-7448.