There is so much to learn when you have diabetes, whether you are new to the disease or you have had it for years. You may have many questions that need answers. The INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center Diabetes Education team will answer your questions about the disease with classes and personal sessions directed to meet your needs.
Classes are taught by certified diabetes educators who teach lifestyle changes to help you learn to manage diabetes and improve your quality of life.
INTEGRIS Health’s diabetes program at Baptist Medical Center has earned the Gold Seal of Approval™ for health care quality. The Joint Commission awarded INTEGRIS Health the disease-specific care certification for advanced inpatient diabetes and hyperglycemia.
To earn this distinction, a disease management program undergoes an extensive, announced, on-site evaluation by a team of Joint Commission reviewers every two years. The program is evaluated against Joint Commission standards through an assessment of the program’s processes, the program’s ability to evaluate and improve care within its own organization and interviews with patients and staff.
"This certification means INTEGRIS Health does the right things and does them well for patients with diabetes and hyperglycemia," said Jean E. Range, MS, RN, CPHQ, executive director of Disease-Specific Care Certification, Joint Commission.
"We are honored to not only receive this distinction, but we will be the first program in the nation to have applied for hyperglycemia certification," said April Merrill, MS, APRN, CNS. "To be awarded certifications for both diabetes and hyperglycemia management programs is indicative of the outstanding work we do at INTEGRIS."
The Joint Commission launched its Disease-Specific Care Certification program in 2002. It is the first program of its kind in the country to certify disease management programs.
"Our hyperglycemia care team consists of physicians, nursing directors, staff nurses, educators, pharmacists, advanced practice nurses, dietitians, case managers and information technologists," said Rise’ Kester, DNP, CNS, APRN-BC. "We are proud to offer a well-rounded, interdisciplinary approach to patient care."
The certification is awarded for two years with a one year intra-cycle phone follow-up with the Joint Commission. A list of programs certified by the Joint Commission is available at jointcommission.org.
