Dauterive Hospital - Diabetes Drive Thru

Overview

Nearly six million people with some form of diabetes go undiagnosed. To help residents of the hospital’s service area that may otherwise go undiagnosed determine if they have or are at risk for diabetes, Dauterive Hospital conducts a unique drive-thru diabetes screening and consultation event. Participants are asked to fast before arriving at the testing site. An individual drives up to a tent in New Iberia City Park, holds out a hand, and has his/her glucose level checked by a technician.

Impact

In November 2010, 17 individuals arrived for drive-thru testing during a three-hour period at this first-of-its-kind event. Five of the individuals were recommended for a full A1C workup by the event’s physicians. In 2012, nearly 30 individuals stopped by for a diabetes screening, which includes blood glucose testing and blood pressure readings. At least two individuals were not aware that they had diabetes. They were counseled about the importance of following up with their physician and attending Steppin’ Up, the hospital’s self-management education program.

Challenges/success factors

Community residents are given an opportunity to determine if they have diabetes and are provided with advice on how to obtain help to get their diabetes under control. Members of the hospital’s accredited diabetes education team (the only American Diabetes Association-accredited diabetes education team in the area) and Family Medicine Physicians are on site to provide consultations.

Future direction/sustainability

This event is held annually at the New Iberia City Park in November in recognition of National Diabetes Awareness Month.

Advice to others

This was a relatively easy project for the hospital to provide, requiring few resources and not a lot of hours outside of the normal work week. It also fit directly with the hospital’s mission: “Above all else, we are dedicated to the care and improvement of human life.”

Contact: Celeste Hay, RD, LDN
Diabetes Educator
Telephone: 337-374-4315
E-mail: celeste.hay@hcahealthcare.com