OSF St. Joseph Medical Center has been granted re-certification for its nationally recognized American Diabetes Association (ADA) Self-Management Education Program. The national status is effective through February 26, 2012. OSF St. Joseph Medical Center originally met the national standards in 2002.

This designation means that OSF St. Joseph Medical Center has continued to meet national standards in diabetes education services (both individual and group class instruction) and is formally recognized by the ADA as a hospital-based outpatient diabetes education program. The designation also enables OSF St. Joseph Medical Center to receive reimbursement from Medicare and other insurers for diabetes education services since national criteria for diabetes education are consistently met.

OSF St. Joseph Medical Center offers group classes in diabetes self-management education. Individual and group education is provided by a diabetes nurse educator and registered dietitian who each meet criteria for knowledge in diabetes yearly. All diabetes services require a physician’s referral for program education.

Persons who have completed the diabetes education program have been educated on daily meal planning, medications, stress and coping techniques, physical activity, blood sugar management and more. Education about how to manage diabetes daily helps prevent the long term complications (stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, amputation, blindness) of diabetes.

The ADA is the nation’s leading non-profit health organization supporting diabetes research, advocacy and information for health professionals, patients and the public.

Information about these education services can be obtained by calling the diabetes program office at 309-661-5157 or discussing with your primary care provider.