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Diabetes Education at Stephens
Memorial Hospital:
Improving the health care outcomes
and quality of life for members of our community living
with diabetes.
The
Diabetes Education Program at Stephens
Memorial Hospital is a recognized program by the American Diabetes Association and is staffed by two Certified
Diabetes Educators, Doreen Adams, RN, BSN, CDE
and Registered Dietician Pat Watson, MS, RD, CDE. Medical Advisor: William L. Medd, M.D.
Diabetes Support
Group meets on the 3rd Wednesday of every month in the
Harper Conference Center from 6 - 7:00 pm!
Come Join Us!
Diabetes
Education Classes:
This self-management program
offers patients the opportunity to develop or
improve their diabetes self-management skills.
Educational sessions are offered at
least six times per year on
various days and at
various times. Options include both one-day and multiple-class sessions.
A physician referral is required. For questions or more
information, please contact the
Diabetes Educator at (207) 743-1562, ext. 773.
The cost for this class is usually covered by Medicare, MaineCare and private insurance.
Continuous
Glucose Monitors - Offered at SMH!
A continuous glucose
monitor is a tiny sensor which is inserted under the
skin in a painless procedure. Once inserted, it
records up to 288 glucose measurements in a 24 hour
period. The monitor is not intended for long term
or daily use; it is to be used as a way to measure an
individual's glucose trends in order to determine the
best treatment option for that person. The
difference between this monitor and a traditional meter
is that the traditional testing only reflects what is
occurring at that moment. Continuous glucose
monitoring we can measure trends. The trends show an
increase or decrease in glucose as well as how fast
changes occur. It records while you work, play, eat and
sleep. These monitors give us important
information on what all these functions do to glucose
levels. After 3-4 days of monitoring, we can fine
tune diabetes treatment whether it be changing
medications or food intake. "It gives us such valuable
information, if I had my way, I would have all diabetics wear it for 3 days." Doreen Adams, RN, BSN, CDE.
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