Atlantic General Hospital - Diabetes Education Program

Overview

The Diabetes Self-Management Education Program was launched in 2005 to address an overwhelming community need for this kind of education. The program received formal recognition from the American Diabetes Association in 2008 for providing quality diabetes self-management education. The need for diabetes education is significant since 13.6 percent of the population in Maryland’s Worcester County is diabetic, and 13.2 percent of the population in Delaware’s Sussex County is diabetic (CDC, 2013). Due to the high percentage of the community requiring endocrinology and only two endocrinology practices located outside Worcester County, a large burden is placed on the primary care physicians and diabetes programs to educate and manage diabetic patients.

Many community members unable to travel outside Worcester County for diabetic care often go untreated or with minimal management. This initiative partners Diabetes Self-Management Education Program, Stanford Living Well Diabetes Self-Management Workshops (evidence-based), Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH), Faith Based Partnerships and Atlantic General Hospital’s Care Coordination Team. Diabetes education is incorporated into PCMH through referrals, case management, and care coordination with a holistic approach to improve a patient’s overall health. The Diabetes Self-Management Education Program offers screenings in the community and participates in the Tri-County Diabetes Alliance.

Impact

Since the inception of the diabetes education initiative, a referral process has been put in place from the hospital to local health departments. Stanford Living Well Diabetes Self-Management Workshops are being taught in the service area. Blood glucose screenings are being offered at community resource days and health fairs throughout the year. The diabetes education initiative reached 2,500 people in FY15. According to SHIP measures and Atlantic General Hospital internal audits, the emergency department visits for diabetes are decreasing in the service area.

Lessons Learned

Due to the large percentage of the population living with diabetes, continued education and screening programs are necessary to help improve population health outcomes as identified in AGH’s Community Health Needs Assessment. They are pleased to have the infrastructure already in place for the Stanford-based workshops when other institutions are only just discovering them. They continue to strive to strengthen community partnerships to bring these services into the communities to sites such as civic organizations, faith-based organizations, and senior centers, just to name a few.

Future Goals

AGH will continue to offer diabetes education and workshops throughout its service area. They will increase the offerings further if the demand is there. They will continue to build community partnerships expanding screenings to soup kitchens and shelters.

Contact: Toni Keiser
Vice President, Public Relations
Telephone: 410-641-1100
Email: tkeiser@atlanticgeneral.org