Diabetes Clinic

The Diabetes Clinic was started approximately 3 ½ years ago to enhance the care being provided to patients with diabetes. The program utilizes a tracking system along with reminder letters when Standards of Care, as recommended by the American Diabetes Association, are not being met. This ensures diabetic patients are receiving the best care possible to help them maintain optimal control of their diabetes. By doing so, patients are provided with the care necessary to help them manage their diabetes and prevent complications associated with it.

The American Diabetes Association's Standards of Care are as follows:

  • Diabetic visit with a physician: minimal 2 times per year
  • Blood Pressure: every visit <130/80
  • Dilated eye exam: 1 time per year with an optometrist or ophthalmologist
  • A1C: 2 times per year if meeting treatment goal and 4 times per year if goals are not being met
  • Cardiac Risk: 1 time per year
    • Cholesterol: <200
    • Triglyceride: <150
    • HDL: >40 male and >50 female
    • LDL: <100
  • Microalbumin: annually until a diagnosis of microalbuminuria
  • Influenza vaccine: annually
  • Pneumoccocal vaccine: at least 1 per lifetime
  • Foot exam: comprehensive exam 1 time per year
    • Visual exam at every physician visit
  • Dietician: annually
  • Certified Diabetic Educator: annually

The program also utilizes 72 hour continuous glucose monitors, which record a glucose reading every 5 minutes for a total of 288 readings per day. This allows physicians to look at any patterns or trends the patient may be experiencing that are not evident with standard blood glucose monitoring. Oral medications and/or insulin regimen can then be modified to better manage a patient's diabetes.

The Diabetes Clinic also offers services for continuous infusion insulin pumps. The clinic can provide insurance pre-authorization, training for initiation of an insulin pump, and monitoring and adjustments of insulin needs while on the pump.

For more information concerning the Diabetes Clinic, please contact Tina, Diabetes Coordinator (483-6017), or email tkessel@greatplainsclinic.com.