Health Education
Diabetes Education and Management
The number of Americans who are being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes continues to climb to epidemic proportions. Central Illinois is no exception. Whether a person has diabetes (blood sugar of 126 or greater) or is in the "pre-diabetes" stage, Kirby Hospital offers patients an education program to get the disease under control.
The program, developed and taught by a Registered Nurse / Certified Diabetes Educator, educates individuals with diabetes on all areas of the disease during live sessions and through an abundance of take-home resources. Patients learn about the diabetes disease process, including signs, symptoms, risk factors and causes. The in-depth program teaches patients the essential tools of diabetes control – how to monitor blood sugars at home, how to count carbohydrates, control overall calorie intake and exercise. Patients are also counseled on the use of oral medications and insulin injections to manage diabetes.
Our diabetes educator believes in the timely diagnosis of the disease and strives to counsel patients as soon as possible after diagnosis. Counseling sessions with flexible hours are available to accommodate the patient's busy schedule and are provided at no charge to patients and their family members.
If you or someone you know is living with diabetes, take advantage of our close-to-home education program. Appointments can be made through physician referral or by contacting Dianne Geissal, RN, MS, CDE, at Kirby Hospital, (217) 762-6229. Take control of diabetes today!