ALTRU'S DIABETES CENTER
ALTRU'S DIABETES CENTER
1000 Columbia Road South
P.O. Box 6002
Grand Forks, ND 58201
(701) 780-6218
Our Mission
The Altru Diabetes Center serves patients, families, and providers in our region through education, leadership, advocacy, and research in diabetes, health promotion and preventive services.
Services
Services
Comprehensive Assessment
Recommended for all newly diagnosed patients. A nurse practitioner, physician, diabetes nurse educator and a dietitian are all involved. This Assessment includes the following: complete diabetes history; review of current glycemic control; directed exam for complications of diabetes; special exams (such as dilated eye exam) and lab tests (such as urine for microalbumin) will be ordered if they have not been done within recommended intervals; counseling re: smoking alcohol and drug use; family planning, aspirin prophylaxis, immunizations and other preventative services. Completed by nurse practitioner and physician. Does not include management of diabetes.
Consultation with Diabetologist
The diabetologist-physician will provide a detailed consultation regarding the patient's case and will send on recommendations for management to the referring provider.
Management of diabetes is not included with the consultation.
Management of Diabetes
Complete management of the diabetes will be assumed by the Altru Diabetes Center. This will be under the supervision of a physician, but all members of the Center staff will participate, following guidelines of the American Diabetes Association and the customized Staged Diabetes Management protocols of Altru and the International Diabetes Center.
Medical Nutrition Therapy
Thorough instruction in carbohydrate counting, plus a personalized food plan by a dietitian specializing in diabetes care. Medical Nutrition Therapy is recommended annually. Medicare covers Medical Nutrition Therapy for 3 hours in the first year and 2 hours each year thereafter.
Diabetes Self-Management Education
Complete review of diabetes pathophysiology and day-to-day management, plus instruction in self-monitoring of blood glucose. Done by specially trained diabetes nurse educator.
Diabetes Self-Management Education is recommended annually. Medicare covers Diabetes Self-Management Education for 10 hours the first year and 2 hours each year thereafter.
Individual visits are recommended for all type 1 patients and for follow-up education for type 2 patients.
Preconception Counseling:
Appropriate care and educational needs prior to conception are provided.
BASIC's Class
Under a comprehensive plan of care for your patient the self-management education is ordered to ensure therapy compliance and to provide the necessary skills and knowledge to enable the patient to manage his /her conditions. BASICs i a series of 3 education sessions, each built upon the last. These are designed for newly diagnosed type 2 DM patients and those that have never received DM self-management education in the past.
Session 1 includes: Basic self-management skills, BG monitoring, low and high BG treatment, carb counting, label reading, exercise, food plan. 3 hours with follow-up scheduled in 2 weeks.
Session 2 includes: Meter upkeep, sick day guidelines, foot care guidelines, food portion control, A1C targets, heart healthy eating, alcohol guidelines, personal goal setting. 3 hours with follow-up scheduled in 2 1/2 months.
Session 3 includes: BP control, stress management, insulin resistance and deficiency, dining out guidelines, healthy food habits and behaviors, prevention of complications, and diabetes resources. 2 hours with annual individual follow-up recommended.
Preconception Counseling
May be ordered as a Comprehensive Assessment OR as a Dietitian and Nurse Educator Consult.
© 2007 Altru Health System
