In keeping with the goals of CRMC, the Diabetes Center provides diabetes care and education services that promote self-management, blood glucose control and prevention of acute and long term illness. The Diabetes Center regards education as an integral part of quality care for patients with diabetes and their families.

We offer comprehensive self-management education in an individualized or group format. The curriculum and lesson plans are designed to promote appropriate self-care. Patients and families are referred to the Diabetes Center by physicians and other healthcare professionals (physician assistant, nurse practitioner and nurse midwife), or by themselves. In order to receive third party reimbursement for these services, an order from a health care professional is required.

Diabetes Self-Management Education can dramatically decrease health care costs. Learning how to control diabetes reduces episodes of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). It also avoids or delays long term complications and decreases emergency room visits.

Since compliance and self-care management is patient directed, the goal of the Diabetes Center is to provide patients with the knowledge, skills, and attitude needed to cope and live with diabetes on a daily basis. This goal can be accomplished by enrolling patients in a formal ADA recognized program.

The Cleveland Regional Diabetes Education program is recognized by the American Diabetes Association. You can expect to receive current educational information by certified diabetes educators and dietitians to help control your diabetes.

Mission
Cleveland Regional Diabetes Center will provide and promote comprehensive education and patient-centered care for all patients with diabetes and their families through the implementation of the national standards for diabetes self-management education and the medical center's key values of human dignity, compassion, education, integrity, stewardship, leadership, service and excellence.

Diabetes Can Be Managed
While there is currently no cure for diabetes, you can learn the skills to live a full and healthy life. You're not alone. Diabetes affects 16-18 million people in the United States. It is estimated that nearly eight million of those with diabetes have not been diagnosed. If left untreated, diabetes can cause heart and kidney disease, blindness and circulation problems.

Our Staff
Or program staff includes nurses who are experienced, certified diabetes educators and registered dietitians who work closely with you and your physician.

Who Can Benefit
Diabetes Center programs and services are designed to benefit individuals:

• Diagnosed with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes
• Whose diabetes is out of control
• With gestational diabetes (pregnant women)
• New to insulin or starting on an insulin pump
• With nutrition, exercise and weight management needs with visual or hearing impairments who require special assistance

Diabetes Self-Management Training
We offer group classes and individual consultations that include the following:

• What diabetes is and how to control it
• How to monitor blood glucose
• Nutrition education, weight and lipid management
• The role of exercise, nutrition and medication in diabetes control
• Insulin and medication instruction
• Diabetes management during illness
• Prevention, recognition and treatment of diabetes emergencies and complications
• Guidelines for meal planning, dining out, grocery shopping, label reading and travel
• Setting goals for a healthy lifestyle

Diabetes Self-Management Classes
Classes are held every week on Tuesday from 2:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m. and Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Gestational Diabetes Classes
Finding out that you have gestational diabetes when you are expecting can be frightening. We can help you manage diabetes during your pregnancy to help ensure the health of your baby.

In our gestational diabetes classes, you will learn about meal planning, nutrition, and controlling your blood sugars. We will provide a loaner meter and guide you in self-glucose monitoring at home.

Gestational diabetes classes are held every week on Tuesday from 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Diabetes Support Group
Monthly meetings are held the second Tuesday, 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. with the exception of July and December.

Insurance Coverage
A referral from your primary care physician is necessary for insurance and Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement.

For more information or to learn more about our programs and services, please call 704-487-3953.

We are available from 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. After hours, please leave your name and telephone number and we will return your call the next business day.

If you have a question about our services or programs, or about how we can further assist you, please call 704-487-3953 or the Diabetes Center Coordinator at 704-487-3997