[Council, Idaho] - Adams County Health Center’s (ACHC) Diabetes Self-Management Education Program has achieved the significant milestone of accreditation by the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (ADCES). Accreditation represents a high level of quality and service to the community, and the ability to better meet the needs of Medicare recipients and others affected by diabetes in this community.
Now that the program has received accreditation, ACHC’s Diabetes Self-Management Education Program is now being offered to ACHC patients and to patients who receive an outside referral from other providers who have patients in this community that need diabetes education and need to learn how to self-manage their diabetes better.
“I am so excited to be able to provide diabetes education to patients,” said Sue Warner, FNP-C and ACHC’s Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES). “With this accreditation, people can now get this type of care here at ACHC. Our program is going to help patients obtain diabetes care here at home rather than having to travel outside of the community, as currently the next closest accredited programs are in Grangeville, Idaho, or Payette, Idaho.”
The purpose of ACHC’s Diabetes Self-Management Education Program is to assist patients in managing their diabetes through diet, exercise, medication management, and problem solving. It will also allow people to learn more about how to reduce their risk, and to be monitored by Warner while they are in the program.
“My goal for this program is to help patients better manage their diabetes so they can avoid unnecessary complications that may have a long-term effect on their quality of life,” said Warner. “I believe this program will give patients the education and tools that they need to enjoy a longer, healthier life. It is also important to note that good diabetes management has been proven to also help manage other conditions a person may have such as high cholesterol and hypertension, which will lead to a healthier lifestyle as well.”
ACHC’s Diabetes Self-Management Education Program will be located at 205 N. Berkley Ave, in Council, Idaho, at the Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). ACHC will be offering individual diabetes education sessions with Warner on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays by appointment only. People wishing to participate in the program must receive a referral from a provider prior to scheduling an appointment.
“I am looking forward to being able to meet with patients one-on-one to discuss anything related to their diabetes,” said Warner. “Once a referral is received and the basic paperwork is filled out, I can tailor the educational program to the individual and his or her needs. Then, during these sessions, the patient will get to set their own goals as far as what they think they need to work on to help improve their diabetes.”
ACHC’s Diabetes Self-Management Education Program received accreditation from the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (ADCES). ADCES is a National Accredited Organization (NAO) for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Accredited programs must meet the 2022 National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support; 6 standards that are revised every 5 years by a group of diabetes educators representing both ADCES and the American Diabetes Association and approved by CMS. Programs must maintain compliance with the Standards during the 4-year accreditation cycle.
“Evidence shows diabetes education and support is helping people with diabetes to lower their A1c’s and obtain the knowledge and skills to better self-manage their condition,” said Sacha Uelmen, Director of Accreditation at ADCES. “That is why we need programs like ACHC’s Diabetes Self-Management Education Program to make these services available in their community.”
Diabetes education services utilize a collaborative process through which people with or at risk for diabetes work with a diabetes educator to receive individualized care to help them reach their health goals. Diabetes education is a covered Medicare benefit when delivered through an accredited program.
“It is exciting to have earned accreditation for our program here at ACHC, because I believe it is really going to make a difference for the people in this community,” said Warner. “If this program sounds like the right fit for you, I encourage you to see your provider to see if you qualify for diabetes self-management and ask for a referral to our program.”
People who have questions about ACHC’s Diabetes Self-Management Education Program specifically may email Sue Warner at suew@achcid.org or may call ACHC at 208-253-4242 and ask to speak to Sue Warner.
ACHC is a FQHC that strives to provide high quality health care services to residents and visitors of Adams, Washington, Valley, Idaho and surrounding counties. With healthcare facilities few and far between, ACHC offers an array of services to meet the healthcare needs of everyone, regardless of social or economic status. Some of the services ACHC currently offers are primary care, dental, pharmacy, laboratory, optometry, behavioral health, physical therapy, diabetes care, immunizations, financial and insurance.
ADCES, formerly known as the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE), is a multi-disciplinary professional membership organization dedicated to improving diabetes care through innovative education, management and support. With more than 14,000 professional members including nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, exercise specialists, and others, ADCES has a vast network of practitioners working with people who have, are affected by or are at risk for diabetes. Learn more at www.diabeteseducator.org, or visit us on Facebook (Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists), Twitter @ADCESdiabetes and Instagram @ADCESdiabetes.
