Contact: Cristina Nesta- [email protected]

                                          866-784-5647 (office)

                                          857-523-0252 (cell)

 

 

Local resource helps to control diabetes

 

            The prestigious American Diabetes Association (ADA) Education Recognition Certificate for a quality diabetes self-management education program was recently awarded to the Diabetes Self-Management Education Program at Neighborhood Diabetes, Wakefield, Mass. The ADA believes that this program offers high-quality education that is an essential component of effective diabetes treatment.

            Programs apply for ADA Recognition voluntarily.  Those that achieve Recognition status have a staff of knowledgeable health professionals who can provide participants with comprehensive information about diabetes management.  Education Recognition status is verified by an official certificate from the ADA and awarded for three years.

            “The process gives professionals a national standard by which to measure the quality of services we provide,” comments Elvira Q Johnson, MS, RD, CDE, LDN, Clinical Coordinator, Neighborhood Diabetes.  “And, of course, it assures the consumer that he or she will receive high quality service that produces good clinical outcomes.”

            Since Recognition, ND has continued to guide patients enrolled in the Diabetes Self Management Training (DSMT) program to a healthier way of life while living with the disease.

DSMT is an ongoing process that consists of 1.) an assessment of the patient’s nutritional and diabetes self-management knowledge and skills; 2.) identification of the patient’s diabetic management and nutritional goals; 3.) education and behavioral intervention directed toward helping the patient achieve identified self-management goals and 4.) an evaluation of the patient’s obtained self-management goals. 

Patients are very responsive to the DSMT program, having stated that they have a better understanding of what diabetes actually is and how to take charge of it. Others have also seen an improvement in their overall health, not having to take as many medications, and have felt an improvement in their everyday lives since starting the program. 

Johnson has been responsible for the DSMT program at ND, developing it in 2004 and has since then been actively involved in improving the quality of life in the patients she treats. In collaboration with patients’ health care team, Johnson works one-on-one with patients during diabetes education consultations to manage blood sugar and to monitor and track A1c-lipid results, weight and blood pressure.

Working as a certified diabetes educator and registered dietitian for over 20 years, Johnson is very passionate about the work she does. “Working with each patient to develop personalized  plans that meet their specific therapeutic needs is just part of the process,” she explains. “Actually seeing the results after a few sessions and seeing a healthier person is where everything comes together.”

Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) is another service that is provided by Johnson at ND. MNT services are defined by Medicare as "nutritional diagnostic, therapy, and counseling services for the purpose of disease management which are furnished by a registered dietitian  ... pursuant to a referral by a physician” .Medical nutrition therapy (MNT) is important in preventing diabetes, managing existing disease, and  slowing, the rate of development of diabetes complications. Medicare and several other insurers cover both DSMT and MNT services for diabetes with a physician referral.

Diabetes is a disease that affects millions of people throughout the United States and unfortunately, is increasing everyday.  Medical scientists have discovered ways to help manage the disease while still being able to go about daily life. More recently, clinical studies have shown that through Medical Nutrition Therapy and Diabetes Self Management Training, patients are proven to have lowered blood sugars and reduced medication needs.  Johnson alone has contributed to state and national efforts to document the costs and benefits of MNT and published groundbreaking documents and articles highlighting the outcomes of MNT.

For more information about the Medical Nutrition Therapy or Diabetes Self Management Training programs at Neighborhood Diabetes, please call toll free (866) 784-5647 or visit www.sugartest.com.

 

 

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