Diabetes Prevention and Management

Diabetes is a chronic disease where the body does not produce or properly use insulin, which is needed to convert food into energy.  The good news is that by learning how to manage your diabetes, you can enjoy a long and active life.  At Chester County Hospital, we firmly believe that education is the most important component to the management of diabetes.  Our self-management programs are a proven way to help individuals care for and control their diabetes.

Chester County Hospital has one of the most comprehensive diabetes instructional programs in the region.  Recognized for excellence, our certified diabetes care and education specialists instruct individuals on how to self-manage diabetes with proper nutrition, carbohydrate counting, medication, exercise and home blood sugar tests.  Individual appointments and classes are available for people with Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes.

At the core of the Diabetes Self-Management Program is a four-week educational course called Diabetes Basics. The course is for individuals that are either newly diagnosed with or have uncontrolled Type 2 Diabetes. This program reviews basic diabetes management principles including the AADE7 self-care behaviors:

• Healthy eating
• Being active
• Monitoring
• Taking medication
• Problem solving
• Reducing risks
• Healthy coping

For individuals with Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes on multiple daily injections or those who are on an insulin pump, a four-week educational program called Intensive Insulin Management Training is available. Throughout this program participants will learn to minimize the high and low blood sugar readings often associated with insulin-requiring diabetes. Individuals will learn how to match insulin to food intake, allowing for better glucose control with greater flexibility. 

Our comprehensive programs also include the following individualized services:

• Gestational diabetes management
• Pre-diabetes management
• Medical nutrition therapy/nutrition counseling
• Weight management
• Insulin or injectable medication training
• Insulin pump download with evaluation of pump settings
• Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) with evaluation

Achievement

The Diabetes Self-Management Program achieved accreditation by the Association for Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (ADCES). This accreditation recognizes that the program meets all national standards for diabetes self-management education and provides education programs that easily track and maintain patient progress.

LOCATION and CONTACT INFORMATION