Patients who completed the Phelps Memorial Health Center Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support program significantly decreased their A1C by completing one-on-one education sessions.
An A1C is a lab test that shows the average level of blood sugar (glucose) over the previous 3 months. It shows how well a person is controlling their diabetes. A normal A1C should be 5.6 or below.
Patients in Diabetes Education Program at Phelps Memorial Health Center decreased their numbers significantly this past year. The average A1C at the beginning of the program was 8.3. At the conclusion of the program, the average dropped to 6.3. Endocrinologists would ideally like the A1c 6.5 or below.
Jenny Spaulding, RN, CDE, and Karen Bunnell, RD, LMNT, both serve patients through Phelps Memorial’s diabetes education program. They educate patients one-on-one through the program in order for patients to learn lifestyle changes so they can successfully manage their diabetes on a day to day basis. Their sessions educate on lifestyle changes, nutrition, exercise, carbohydrate counting, medications and more.
Mrs. Bunnell said that patients knowing what their A1C number will help them realize if their diabetes is managed well. She added, “Education is a powerful tool we can provide to our patients. It gives them an active role in their own health.”
Jenny Spaulding, RN, CDE, stated “We want to prevent complications and optimize quality of life for these patients. Daily self-management skills are essential for people to effectively navigate the 24/7 challenges of living with diabetes, helping to keep them healthy and prevent or delay the serious complications of diabetes.”
“We’ve helped hundreds of patients young and old in various diagnoses and stages of diabetes throughout the years,” said Mrs. Spaulding.
Diabetes cannot be cured but it can be managed. Through proper eating, exercise and medication people can live a longer, healthier life. About 29 million people in the United States have diabetes, and many people are unaware they have diabetes.
“Decreasing their A1C number is a reflection of how well they are managing their numbers which will decrease long term complications,” stated Mrs. Spaulding. “This two percent decrease in A1C is significant! This is a great accomplishment for these patients who applied the information into their lifestyles.”
If you’ve never had diabetes education or are having challenges managing your diabetes, call 308-995-2848 to schedule an appointment. They will coordinate any referrals needed with your doctor.
Find more information regarding the Phelps Memorial Diabetes Team here: https://www.phelpsmemorial.com/diabetes-education
