Ozark Health’s Diabetes Program was recently featured in a national journal. The Diabetes Educator is the official journal of the American Association of Diabetes Educators. It is a peer-reviewed journal intended to serve as a reference source for the science and art of diabetes management. 

   The American Diabetes Association recently recognized Ozark Health for its diabetes self-management education program. The program offers high-quality education services to the patients its serves.

   The ADA Education Recognition effort is a voluntary process that assures that approved education programs have met the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education Programs. Ozark Health achieved this status because of its staff of knowledgeable health professionals who provide state-of-the-art information about diabetes management for participants.

   Ozark Health provides diabetes education and counseling for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Both classes and one-on-one counseling focus on self-management skills, and lifestyle changes.

   "Self-management education is an essential component of diabetes treatment. One consequence of compliance with the National Standards is the greater consistency in the quality and breadth of education services offered to people with diabetes," explains Kim Bittle, RN, CDE,  Program Coordinator of  Ozark Health’s Diabetes Program.

   A patient at an ADA-recognized program will be taught self-care skills that will promote better management of his or her diabetes treatment regimen. All approved education programs cover the following topics as needed: diabetes overview; stress and psychosocial adjustment; family involvement and social support; nutrition; exercise and activity; medications; monitoring and use of results; relationships among nutrition, exercise, medication and blood glucose levels; prevention, detection and treatment of acute and chronic complications; foot, skin and dental care; behavior change strategies, goal setting, risk factor reduction and problem solving; benefits, risks and management options for improving glucose control; and use of health care systems and community resources.

   According to the NIH, 15.7 million Americans, approximately 5.9 % of the population, suffer from diabetes.  The American Diabetes Association estimates the cost of diabetes surpasses $98 billion per year with over half of that amount related to disability, work loss and premature mortality.

   Assuring high-quality education for patient self-care is one of the primary goals of the ADA Education Recognition Program. Through the support of the healthcare team and increased knowledge and awareness of diabetes, the patient can assume a major part of the responsibility for his or her diabetes management. Unnecessary hospital admissions and some of the acute and chronic complications of diabetes may be prevented through self-management education. 

   Kim Bittle, RN, CDE,  recent coordinator of the diabetes program, has had a personal interest in diabetes most of her life. Her brother, Chick Williams, died at age 38 from complications of Type 1 diabetes after losing his eyesight, kidneys, and then developing heart disease. Kim’s son, Brad (age 18) was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 8. Kim would like to see all diabetics learn more about managing their disease to prevent the long term complications that her brother suffered from.

Ozark Mountain Health Network
245 Quality Drive
Clinton, AR 72031
Phone: (501) 745-7004
Fax: (501) 745-4203