Diabetes Management: Successful Care Plan for Diabetes Patients
25.8 million Americans have diabetes, that,s an astonishing 8.3 percent of the population. While a little more than 18 million diagnosed, 7 million people are still out there every day, unaware of their condition and how to manage it. And even more staggering, one in four U.S. residents aged 65 and older have diabetes. With a range of associated issues for poorly managed diabetes, including kidney failure, heart disease and stroke, it,s extremely important to have an established care program and daily regimen for diabetes management.
Learning About Diabetes
Generally, diabetes is a group of diseases characterized by high blood glucose levels that result from defects in the body,s ability to produce and/or use insulin. Here are three types of diabetes.
Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes is an issue with your body that causes blood glucose (sugar) levels to rise higher than normal. Also known as hyperglycemia, Type 2 Diabetes it the most common form of diabetes. With type 2, your body does use insulin properly.
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is most often diagnosed in children and young adults, and was previously known as juvenile diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the body doesn,t produce insulin, which is a hormone that,s needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life.
Gestational Diabetes
During pregnancy, usually around the 24th week, many women develop gestational diabetes. This doesn,t mean you had diabetes before you conceived, or that you will have it after giving birth. But it,s important to follow your doctor,s advice regarding blood glucose levels while you,re planning your pregnancy, so you and your baby achieve optimal health.
The key to managing diabetes is through a careful combination of self-managed and team-based care program like BrightStar Clinical Pathways for Diabetes. Sharon Roth Maguire, nurse practitioner and Vice President of Quality and Clinical Operations for BrightStar Care®, explains how a full understanding of diabetes and coping skills are necessary for a successful care program.
"For the most effective plan, everyone involved in the process including the patient, caretakers and family should be confident in their knowledge of diabetes and how it effects the patient," says Maguire. "With daily foot inspections, healthy eating habits and accurate blood sugar tracking, it,s very possible for diabetes patients to successfully self-manage their condition."
BrightStar Care and Maguire utilize a combination of self-managed and team-based care program for an effective diabetes care plan. Together, a registered nurse and caregivers develop a specialized care program that helps patients optimize their wellness. The Clinical Pathways for Diabetes plan includes learning safe needle disposal, proper procedure for daily foot inspections, weight management strategies, medication adherence, appointment coordination and regular checks of vital signs and blood glucose levels. With the program, the patients and their families gain the knowledge and coping skills needed for diabetes management and its related conditions.
The BrightStar Clinical Pathways for Diabetes team makes sure the:
* Patient clearly understands the plan of care from the physician and the steps needed to take to optimize their wellness
* Family feels confident their loved one can self-manage their condition
* Physician is kept up to date on the patient's condition and made aware of any circumstances that may require attention
Learning About Diabetes
Generally, diabetes is a group of diseases characterized by high blood glucose levels that result from defects in the body,s ability to produce and/or use insulin. Here are three types of diabetes.
Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes is an issue with your body that causes blood glucose (sugar) levels to rise higher than normal. Also known as hyperglycemia, Type 2 Diabetes it the most common form of diabetes. With type 2, your body does use insulin properly.
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is most often diagnosed in children and young adults, and was previously known as juvenile diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the body doesn,t produce insulin, which is a hormone that,s needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life.
Gestational Diabetes
During pregnancy, usually around the 24th week, many women develop gestational diabetes. This doesn,t mean you had diabetes before you conceived, or that you will have it after giving birth. But it,s important to follow your doctor,s advice regarding blood glucose levels while you,re planning your pregnancy, so you and your baby achieve optimal health.
The key to managing diabetes is through a careful combination of self-managed and team-based care program like BrightStar Clinical Pathways for Diabetes. Sharon Roth Maguire, nurse practitioner and Vice President of Quality and Clinical Operations for BrightStar Care®, explains how a full understanding of diabetes and coping skills are necessary for a successful care program.
"For the most effective plan, everyone involved in the process including the patient, caretakers and family should be confident in their knowledge of diabetes and how it effects the patient," says Maguire. "With daily foot inspections, healthy eating habits and accurate blood sugar tracking, it,s very possible for diabetes patients to successfully self-manage their condition."
BrightStar Care and Maguire utilize a combination of self-managed and team-based care program for an effective diabetes care plan. Together, a registered nurse and caregivers develop a specialized care program that helps patients optimize their wellness. The Clinical Pathways for Diabetes plan includes learning safe needle disposal, proper procedure for daily foot inspections, weight management strategies, medication adherence, appointment coordination and regular checks of vital signs and blood glucose levels. With the program, the patients and their families gain the knowledge and coping skills needed for diabetes management and its related conditions.
The BrightStar Clinical Pathways for Diabetes team makes sure the:
* Patient clearly understands the plan of care from the physician and the steps needed to take to optimize their wellness
* Family feels confident their loved one can self-manage their condition
* Physician is kept up to date on the patient's condition and made aware of any circumstances that may require attention
