Mercy Medical Center Diabetes Education Program Merits ADA Recognition
SPRINGFIELD — The prestigious American Diabetes Assoc. (ADA) Education Recognition Certificate for a quality diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) service was recently awarded to the Diabetes Education Program at Mercy Medical Center. ADA believes this service offers high-quality education that is an essential component of effective diabetes treatment.
The association’s Education Recognition Certificate assures that educational services meet the National Standards for Diabetes Self-management Education and Support. The DSMES standards were developed and tested under the auspices of the National Diabetes Advisory Board in 1983 and were revised by the diabetes community in 1994, 2000, 2007, 2012, and 2017. Education Recognition status is verified by an official certificate from ADA and awarded for four years.
DSMES services apply for recognition voluntarily. Services that achieve this status have a staff of knowledgeable health professionals who can provide participants with comprehensive information about diabetes management. Education Recognition status is verified by an official certificate from ADA and awarded for four years.
“With the support of the healthcare team and increased knowledge and awareness of diabetes, patients are empowered to be more responsible for their diabetes management and the prevention of complications from the disease,” said Jean Klepacki, quality coordinator and team lead of Nutrition Education for Mercy’s Diabetes Education Program. “The ADA Education Recognition is a tremendous distinction that not only gives professionals a national standard by which to measure the quality of the services we provide, it also helps consumers to identify these quality programs.”
According to Klepacki, the recognition from the ADA is also especially meaningful because November is Diabetes Awareness Month. The American Diabetes Assoc. is the nation’s leading nonprofit health organization supporting diabetes research, advocacy, and information for health professionals, people with diabetes, and the public.