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Diabetes

The primary purpose behind the Diabetes Case Management program is to help diabetes patients stabilize and get back to a normal way of life while they control their disease. This is accomplished through individual appointments, group education, medical nutrition therapy and pre-diabetes education. The program benefits those who have just been diagnosed with diabetes and those who want to update their learning about diabetes or those who have just changed treatment.

Diabetes is a disease that will not go away—but it can be managed by taking the proper and necessary steps to control it. At Pella Regional, patients are part of a team of people committed to helping them manage their diabetes. The patient is the most important member of the team. The more the patient knows, the better they will do.

Patient Centered Medical Home

The Right Health Care at the Right Time

Some experts now believe that creating a health care team is the best way to give patients quality care and a better experience. Pella Regional and our family of clinics in Pella, Bussey, Knoxville, Monroe and Sully have created this team environment using a model called the patient centered medical home.

What is a patient centered medical home?

A patient centered medical home is a primary care practice in a clinic that takes a team approach and has the patient as the center of the team. The team can include doctors, nurses, health partners, pharmacists and therapists. They work together and use technology to provide coordinated care to their patients.

How is this different from the current primary care medical practice?

The patient centered medical home is designed to keep patients healthy by providing primary care, coordinating any visits to specialists they may need and by taking steps to manage preventive diseases like heart disease and diabetes. The team partners with the patient to make sure they are making the right decisions for good health and keeping on top of any preventive care the patient needs. It might mean more frequent visits to the clinic or contact with the nurse—but the goal is to keep the patient healthy and prevent episodes that would require hospitalization or expensive medication.

When will this be available?

The clinics have begun implementing the criteria needed to be credentialed as a patient centered medical home by the National Committee for Quality Assurance. Health partners, registered nurses who will work with patients with chronic conditions, have been hired and “My Pella Health” is in development. On “My Pella Health”, patients are able to email doctors and nurses, request appointments and see some test results.

What is a health partner?

Health partners work under the direct supervision of a family doctor. They are registered nurses who assist patients in setting and meeting goals to maintain optimal health, identify community resources and provide assistance with any questions or concerns.

They Made It Simple

April's diabetes story from Pella Regional“My blood sugar was at 318. It’s supposed to be no higher than 150. It was miserable,” said April.

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For More Information:

For more information about Diabetes at Pella Regional, please call 641-621-2342.