The Columbus Community Hospital Foundation recently donated funds to purchase diabetes education DVDs and materials for patients at Columbus Community Hospital. Pictured is Joanne Sampson, CCHF President, presenting the donation to Renee Davis, CCH Diabetes Services Coordinator.

The diabetes education DVDs will be used to assist with diabetes self-management education by the CCH inpatient nursing staff and outpatient diabetes services department.

“In 2009 approximately 600-700 patients with diabetes were admitted to CCH with a primary or secondary diagnosis of diabetes; this includes inpatient and outpatient admissions.  The use of DVDs helps reinforce optimal diabetes self-management,” said Renee Davis, RD, CDE, CCH Diabetes Services Coordinator.

According to Davis, optimal diabetes self-management has been shown to:

·         Reduce ED and acute admissions related to diabetes complications

·         Reduce overall cost of diabetes

·         Improve quality of life for people with diabetes

·         Reduce development/progression of acute and chronic complications related to diabetes

“The library of diabetes self-management videos offers an alternative venue for people to gain/reinforce the skills needed for optimal diabetes self-management,” said Davis.

For more information regarding the CCH Diabetes Services Program, call Davis at 920-623-1244.