Wing’s Diabetes Education Program Receives Recognition

PALMER – Wing Memorial Hospital’s diabetes self-management program has been awarded continued recognition from the American Diabetes Assoc. (ADA). Wing Memorial’s program offers education services to diabetic patients in the Quaboag Hills and Pioneer Valley.

The ADA Education Recognition effort, begun in 1986, is a voluntary process that assures that approved education programs have met the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education Programs. “Our program achieved continued recognition status because we have a caring staff of skilled health care professionals who provide the most current information to our diabetic patients,” said Janice Kucewicz, RN, MPA, Senior Vice President & Compliance Officer.

Self-management education is an essential component of diabetes treatment. “One result of compliance with the national standards is a greater consistency in the quality and quantity of education we offer to our patients with diabetes,” said Kucewicz. Participants in Wing Memorial’s self-management program are taught self-care skills that will promote better management of their diabetes treatment regimen. The program covers the following topics, as needed: diabetes disease process; nutritional management; physical activity; medications; monitoring, preventing, detecting, and treating acute complications; preventing, detecting, and treating chronic complications through risk reduction; goal setting and problem solving; psychological adjustment; and preconception care, management during pregnancy, and gestational management.

For more information on Wing Memorial Hospital’s diabetes self-management program, please contact Virginia Wright, RN, at (413) 284-5400.