Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center - Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) Program - Diabetes Healthcare and Treatment Centers in VT

Diabetes Management

Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center has a Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) Program that is recognized by the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Working with your own primary care provider and our team of Certified Diabetes Educators (CDEs) which includes a nurse and a dietitian, you can achieve your goals for living well with diabetes. You and your family are an important part of the diabetes management team.

Our Program Includes
Monitoring and Use of Blood Sugar Results
Monitoring Hyperglycemia and Hypoglycemia
Skin and Foot Care
Goal Setting
Stress Management
Coping
Nutrition
Shopping and Cooking Tips
Exercise
Medication Options
Community Resources
A Three Month Follow-up Session to Assess Goals Attained
There are new methods of self-management, including new information for individualized meal planning, new medications, monitoring of blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood cholesterol as well as strategies for daily activity based on up to date clinical studies.

The Mt. Ascutney Hospital DSME Program will help you manage your ABCs:

A is For A-1-C
An A-1-C is the blood glucose (sugar) check with a memory. It tells you your average blood glucose for the past 2 to 3 months. Optional goal is an A-1-C below 7%.

B is for blood pressure
Your blood pressure numbers tell you the force of blood inside your blood vessels. When your blood is high, your heart has to work harder than it should. Goal for blood pressure is less than 130/80.

C is for cholesterol
Your cholesterol number tells you the amount of fat in your blood.

In the blood, cholesterol is carried in small packages called lipoproteins (lip-o-PRO-teens). Two kinds of lipoproteins carry cholesterol through your body. It's important to have healthy levels of both LOW-density and HIGH-density lipoproteins.

Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) can lead to a buildup of cholesterol in the arteries. Some people call LDL bad cholesterol. You can remember LDL by thinking, L is for Lousy. The higher the LDL level in your blood, the greater chance you have of getting heart disease. Aim for a LDL of less than 100.

High-density lipoproteins (HDL) are also known as good cholesterol (think, H is for Happy). HDL helps remove cholesterol from your body, so the higher your HDL, the lower your chance for getting heart disease. Aim for a HDL of over 40. (Excerpts from the ADA).

Optimal diabetes self management requires a team effort of the person with diabetes, members of the family, his or her primary care provider and certified diabetes educators (CDEs) a nurse and dietitian.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with the Diabetes Clinic at Mt. Ascutney Hospital call Nancy McCullough, RN, CDE at (802) 674-7198.

For more information about the monthly Diabetes Support Group call Liz Smurkowski, RD, CDE at (802) 674-7135. Anyone with diabetes and/or family and friends is welcome to attend.

Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center
289 County Road
Windsor, Vermont 05089
Tel: (802) 674-6711
Fax: (802) 674-7155

Contact form
http://www.mtascutneyhospital.org/contact/