Improving Hypertension _ Diabetes Control and Prevention
diabetes banner
knowledge is power: find out where you can direct patients to enroll in diabetes self-management education programs in pa

diabetes icon It takes time to educate patients about self-care and help them make significant changes. That's time you don't often have. But diabetes educators do, and they'll keep you in the loop on your patients' progress. Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) is a collaborative process between a diabetes educator and the patient, usually including up to 10 hours of counseling in the first year after diagnosis to address a variety of topics in depth, from healthy eating and exercise to monitoring and medications to problem-solving.
 
The following websites offer DSMES location assistance and contact information :
Quality Insights is available to help you create a DSMES workflow that promotes consistent referrals, patient engagement and feedback. You can utilize our referral checklist or contact your local Quality Insights Practice Transformation Specialist for direct assistance. 
dining with diabetes: this program educates people about healthy food choices and diabetes management

healthy food Dining with Diabetes is a program for adults with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes and their families that will increase knowledge of healthy food choices and diabetes management. The classes, hosted by trained PennState Extension Education in consultation with Registered Dieticians and Diabetes Educators, offer healthy meal planning, food demonstrations, class discussions, and new physical activity choices.
 
The Dining with Diabetes programs is available across PA at various locations and times . The program is offered at a fee ($19); however, scholarships and financial aid funds are available to qualifying participants. Upcoming opportunities include:
  • October 4: Crawford County (Meadville)
  • October 7: Berks County (Leesport)
  • October 8: Centre County (Bellefonte)
  • October 9: Adams County (Gettsyburg)
  • October 9: Wayne County (Honesdale)
  • October 10: Berks County (Leesport)
texting tip: study reveals that culturally sensitive text alerts can improve Diabetes Management

woman texting A study in China examined 502 people from 32 separate clinics and found an association between culturally sensitive text messaging and improved fasting glucose. Participants in the study received usual care and were split into two groups: 1)  An intervention group receiving six culturally sensitive positive texts throughout the week about blood glucose monitoring, physical activity, dietary advice, and emotional support, and 2)  A control group simply receiving two messages per month thanking them for being part of the study

The results weren't surprising.  The intervention group was more likely to achieve their A1c target than those in the control group (69.3% success, compared to 52.6%). Change in fasting blood glucose was larger in the intervention group (between-group difference: -11 mg/dl or 0.6 mmol/L), but no other outcome differences were observed.

The conclusion of the study was that culturally sensitive, positive mobile text messaging may help improve diabetes self-management. Read the full study here.
tools you can use: Provider Resources for Diabetes, Hypertension and Cholesterol Management from AHRQ

Changing medical practice is difficult, and people delivering care need proven methods to apply solid evidence to their patients' situations. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) hosts MyQI Improving Diabetes Care Quality and EvidenceNOW, which includes a suite of valuable resources for your practice. Click the links below to access tools on the following topics:
patient resource: Insulin Injection Know-How guide

insulin needles Learning how to inject insulin can be an intimidating prospect for any patient. Having easy-to-understand, clear instructions is a very important component in providing patients with the knowledge they need to safely and effectively begin their journey.
 
If you are in need of an up-to-date resource that assists patients in the learning process, download the Insulin Injection Know-How: Learning How to Inject Insulin guide from the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE).
online learning: take advantage of free online diabetes education

e-learning Webinar: National Diabetes Prevention Program: Where We Are, Where We're Going
Monday, September 30, 2019 from 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
This  webinar will review the results of a national scan of Primary Care Association (PCA) stakeholders around the implementation of the National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP), and will also provide resources to address areas of need identified in the scan results.

On-Demand CME Webcast: Insulin Therapy and Glycemic Variability: Strategies for Achieving Diabetes Goals While Minimizing Hypoglycemia
This webcast was recorded live at the Emerging Challenges in Primary Care 2019 Live Virtual Symposium (used with the permission of the presenters). It examines the risk and impact of hypoglycemia, strategies to reduce the risk of glycemic variability, strategies for use of SMBG and CGM devices, and use of available insulin preparations for improved patient outcomes. The National Association for Continuing Education designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1  AMA PRA Category 1 Credit ™.
mark your calendar: upcoming hypertension & diabetes events across pa
calendar

Do you know about a local diabetes prevention or hypertension event taking place near you? E-mail details to Amy Porter if you'd like to have it featured in our upcoming newsletters.
contact information

For more details about the Improving Hypertension and Diabetes Care & Prevention project, please contact 
Quality Insights logo
Funding provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Health through the Improving the Health of Americans Through Prevention and Management of Diabetes and Heart Disease and Stroke federal grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Publication number PADOH-HD- 092719