Diabetes Alert Day – March 27th

Put on your diabetes detective hat!
March 27th is our opportunity to find people with undetected prediabetes and diabetes.

Most people with prediabetes have no idea they are living with elevated blood sugars and that they are at an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Early discovery increases the potential for remission.

For type 2 diabetes, it takes an average of 6.5 years to discover. The Legacy Trial Results demonstrated that early and aggressive treatment of diabetes results in decreased risk of eye, kidney, nerve disease, heart attack and possible death.

Diabetes Educators can take a leadership role in their workplace and communities to uncover undetected diabetes.

7 Actions Diabetes Educators can take to Raise Awareness

• Place a link to the Diabetes Risk Quiz on your work website and invite staff to take the quiz.
   
• Print out the Risk Quiz and invite staff, volunteers and community members to gain awareness and take action.
   
• Host a Diabetes Awareness Reception – offer healthy snacks, an information booth and the Risk Quiz.
   
• Write a short article on Diabetes Prevention for your work-site newsletter and your local newspaper.
   
• Invite yourself to get interviewed about diabetes prevention with your local radio or TV station.
   
• Post the Risk Quiz on your social media pages. See how many people you can encourage to take it!
   
• Provide a presentation on Diabetes Prevention for a local Service Club.

Whether you work in the inpatient or outpatient setting, encourage colleagues to look at A1cs and fasting blood glucose levels to identify those with:

PreDiabetes: A1c of 5.7-6.4% or Fasting  BG of 100-125mg or Undetected diabetes: A1c of 6.5% + or Fasting BG of 126 +  

Newly discovered diabetes? Let’s inform the provider so immediate action can be taken to link the person to resources including a diabetes program referral, dietitian, pharmacist, eye care professional, dentist and more.

New prediabetes?  Let’s connect people to a Diabetes Prevention Program in their community or encourage them to take advantage of the abundance of online resources and Apps to help with behavior change starting today.

Resources to Help Get the Word Out

ADA Alert Day E-Toolkit – Help your organization prepare for the Sound the Alert Day, Download the

ADA Diabetes Risk Test can identify those at risk and promote behavior change action for individuals and their communities.

Risk Test for PreDiabetes – A user friendly web page that evaluates risk and provides helpful info

“Are you at Risk?” Page by the American Diabetes Association – includes the Risk Test, strategies to lower risk and information on predidabetes.

Screening and Diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus 2018 – One page cheat sheet that summarizes screening, risk status and diagnostic criteria for diabetes. A great tool for your practice setting or to share with providers.

Some of my favorite people are Registered Dietitians.

I have been blessed to team teach with many inspiring, kind, knowledgeable and dynamic dietitians over a span of more than 20 years. They are trailblazers and advocates for improving the health of our communities, from the inpatient to outpatient settings. They have the best teaching tools (who doesn’t love the rubber chicken, food samples and empty cereal boxes) and a breadth of knowledge that they freely share with patients and colleagues alike.

I am pictured here with the amazing Dana Armstrong, RD, CDCES who was blending shakes (at 7am) for participants at our Diabetes Educator Course in San Diego.

Here are some ways you can thank your Registered Dietitian:

1. Send a note letting them know the ways you appreciate them
2. Bring them a treat
3. Give them a hug and thank them for their good work
4. Let providers know how much they contribute to improving the health of people
5. Invite them to lunch
6. Bring them some flowers

Studies show that when people with diabetes meet with a Registered Dietitian, they lower their A1c 1-2% points.

Studies show that only 10% of people with Diabetes and Medicare are referred to a Dietitian.
Let’s keep encouraging our providers to refer people with diabetes to our local Registered Dietitians for nutrition coaching and behavior change action for a lifetime.

Thank you for all your amazing work, your number one fan,

Beverly Thomassian, RN, MPH, CDCES, BC-ADM

As clearly demonstrated by the CDC Diabetes Prevention Program, prediabetes can be reversed and diabetes can be delayed by a change in lifestyle coupled with weight loss. With staggering statistics such as over 34% of Americans (over 80 million adults) are living with prediabetes, how can we motivate people to make a change for their health? 

Companies like Omada Health (a digital behavior change program) are utilizing society’s relationship with technology to help people adjust their habits. The app uses an array of methods to help the participant stay dedicated to a lifestyle goal such as; peer counseling, coaching, app notifications, reminder texts, emails and more. 

Working in the diabetes community, we understand that each person has their own unique lifestyle and behavior change approaches. Having array of ideas and recommendations to share can help improve outcomes. Omada Health is a wonderful interactive program that helps people stay focused on goals and also gives them the support of an online community and coach. 

As we continue to see diabetes care partner with technology, staying current on the development of new programs can add an extra dimension of support and coaching in clinical practice. To learn more about Omada Health’s behavior program, click the link below!

“This Chef Lost 50 Pounds And Reversed Prediabetes With A Digital Program” – NPR

See a listing of this app plus others on our Diabetes Apps Resource Page

Happy International Women’s Day!

We are so happy to celebrate International Women’s Day today by honoring the girls of Just One Person! We have the opportunity to partner with this incredible organization to make our Pancreas Partner teaching tool. 

Just One Person is a model sustainable program that prepares girls in rural Kenya for post secondary opportunities, helping? them develop economic independence that will guide them  on the path out of poverty.

Although we believe everyday is women’s day, we are happy to celebrate all the wonderful women at Just One Person and in our Diabetes Education Services community!

You can support the girls are Just One Person by donating here:

Just One Person

Or you can purchase our fun teaching tool that helps you demonstrate the job of the pancreas. The Pancreas Partner is made from traditional African fabrics and handcrafted by high school girls participating in Just One Person, an empowerment program for girls in rural Kenya. All profits are donated to www.justoneperson.org.

Pancreas Partner

Companion Medical has now developed a “Smart” InPen system which allows persons with type 1 diabetes to inject insulin and monitor their data via the app on their phone. The same size as a traditional insulin pen, this device gives freedom to those with Type 1 who typically would need to wear a device. 

As healthcare professionals, the app will generate reports of dose history and insulin temperature to help you better assist in your clinical practice. 

Although this pen is currently only for patients 12 and under, the hope is that the invention will lead to continued development in diabetes care and technology. 

To learn more about the InPen System please enjoy this article below:

“Smart InPen device launches in the US” – Diabetes.co.uk

Imagine a contact lens that you could wear that would light up if your glucose levels were high?

Many of you have probably heard about the first initial attempt at glucose monitoring contact lenses. However, the new lens, developed by South Korean researchers, has corrected many of the initial issues. 

The newly crafted lens is not only more comfortable on the eye, but has wireless operation that monitors glucose levels in your tears! Although the lens may not be available for more than 5 years, we are happy to welcome the technological development in diabetes care. 

To learn more about the new contact lens please click on the article below:

New glucose-monitoring contact lens addresses prior design issues – Diabetes.co.uk

Congratulations to Michelle White!

“Thank you doesn’t feel like enough to tell Beverly how much I appreciate her educational sessions. I had previously taken the CDCES exam three times and failed by two or three points. After purchasing her  CDCES prep bundle, I took a month to study using her webinars/sessions. I took my fourth test on 02/07/2018 and passed!!! I know I wouldn’t have been able to pass on my own.

The CDCES exam is harder than the NCLEX!! Beverly doesn’t just give you the technical and practical information needed to be an educator, she teaches you how to look beyond the medication and formulas and see the patient as a person. The material covered in her sessions is thorough and up to date.  The educational sessions, boot camps, and the CDCES app make passing a sure bet.

But more importantly, Beverly’s passion concerning Diabetes Education spills over and makes one a better educator. I wish I would have began studying with her when I first started on my diabetes education journey in 2015. Both myself and my patients have gained so much from her lessons. 

Again I can’t thank her enough and recommend everyone preparing to take the exam should study with Bev!!!”

– Michelle L. White BSN, RN, CDCES

Special Question of the Week – Customer Appreciation! 

To our superstar students, subscribers and community of educators, we truly couldn’t have done it without you! 

To show our love and gratitude, we are offering an array of free gifts and resources this week. We can’t begin to thank you for joining the Diabetes Education Services community! 

Click below for a special quiz and even more free resources to follow: