In recognition of Diabetes Month this November, Sudbury Regional Hospital has announced a new program design for its Diabetes Education and Care Program (DECP).
According to a hospital press release, the new design is supposed to make the Sudbury program the most innovative and responsive in Northeastern Ontario for people living with diabetes.
Highlights include an interactive group education format suitable for 90% of referred clients, a monthly foot risk-assessment and blood pressure clinic to promote prevention and early intervention as well as an Insulin start-up program for clients which eliminates the need for hospital admission.
DECP program coordinator Joanne Guizzo said the reason for the redesign was the community?s dramatic and continued increase in diabetes incidence and referrals, which has risen by over 50% since 2003. She said the only way to manage the increase was to evolve.
?With waiting lists increasing, an average of 140 new referrals monthly and an increasing complexity of care, we had to be innovative in our approach,? said Guizzo.
?We designed a group-based education plan that would meet the growing demand while expanding and improving services, partnerships and community linkages. The response has been positive and many of the diabetes education programs in Northern Ontario are now looking at this type of group education model.?