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A home health care bulletin distributed to our physicians on October 27, 2008

CDC Emphasizes Areas for Improvement in Diabetes Management

A study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and published recently in the Annals of Internal Medicine points out areas for improvement in the way Americans manage diabetes (Saaddine B, et al. “Improvements in Diabetes Processes . . .” Ann Intern Med. 2006; 465-474.).  Over the past ten years, the diabetic population has improved control of cholesterol, improved with vaccinations for flu and pneumonia, and improved with regular exams of eyes, feet, and teeth.  On the other hand, no improvements have been made for control of blood pressure among patients with diabetes.  The study shows that:

• 1 in 3 people with diabetes have poor blood pressure control
• 1 in 5 have poor glucose control
• 2 in 5 have poor cholesterol control

Improving control of diabetes can relieve a major national cost burden.  Accounting for 11% of hospital admissions, diabetes ranks as the second most common hospital admission diagnosis for adults.  Among adults age 65 to 74, the prevalence of diagnosed diabetes doubled from 1980 to 2004 (9% to 18%).  Patients with diabetes are 200% more likely to die compared to other people in their age group.

Call AbleCare Home Health  for help with your diabetic patients.  For your homebound patients, AbleCare Home Health can provide a number of services that will address the CDC outlined goals.

Reinforcement & Monitoring: In situations where blood glucose levels or blood pressures begin fluctuating abnormally, it may be appropriate for doctors to order a home health care episode.  Nurses can investigate compliance with special diets and reinforce teaching.  They can monitor blood pressure levels and report to the physician for medication changes.  They can assess the use of home equipment and make necessary changes.  Nurses can also teach diet and exercise intervention to better control fluctuating glucose levels.

Teaching Newly Diagnosed Diabetics and Caregivers: 
Effectively teaching geriatric patients sometimes requires repeated visits and a significant time investment.  You can trust AbleCare Home Health to work patiently until your patients demonstrate the skills and knowledge necessary to manage their diabetes.  Teaching will include:

• Glucose monitoring
• Observation & understanding s/s of hyper/hypoglycemia
•  Preparing & administering insulin injections
• Preparing & following a diabetic diet
• Observation of foot-care precautions

Resource Coordination: When patients lack reliable equipment and supplies, AbleCare staff can help your patients utilize their Medicare or insurance benefits to obtain proper equipment and supplies.

Most Patients Pay Nothing for Home Health Care

Medicare & Hospitals Save Big, Too!

• Qualified patients with Medicare pay nothing out-of-pocket for home healh care.
• When home health care shortens or prevents a hospital stay, Medicare saves thousands.
• Medicare strongly rewards efficient discharge from hospitals.  When AbleCare Home Health is fully utilized, hospital profitability increases.

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