Educational Topics Covered Within Our Services

Integrated Diabetes Services covers a wide range of subjects related to diabetes, with a focus on insulin use. Up-to-date / detailed information is shared with our patients during our face-to-face or remote appointments.  Materials are available in either English or Spanish.

DIABETES SCIENCE

  • Basic diabetes physiology
  • Understanding complications
  • Preventing complications
  • Sick day diabetes management
  • Foot screening and foot-care guidelines
  • Updates on current research

HYPOGLYCEMIA

  • Hypoglycemia prevention strategies
  • Treatment of hypoglycemia
  • Hypoglycemia symptom recognition
  • Training on use of glucagon
  • Driving safety guidelines

SELF-MONITORING

  • Use of the latest blood glucose monitoring devices
  • Customized systems for record keeping
  • Appropriate lancing techniques
  • Data download procedures for meters, pumps and (CGM) Continuous Glucose Monitoring systems
  • Principles of (CGM) Continuous Glucose Monitoring
  • Analyzing (CGM) Continuous Glucose Monitoring data
  • Optimizing (CGM) Continuous Glucose Monitoring performance

INSULIN / MEDICATIONS

  • Self-adjustment of insulin doses
  • Utilizing basal/bolus insulin therapy
  • Use and adjustment of correction doses
  • Insulin pen utilization
  • Using and fine-tuning insulin-to-carb ratios
  • Calculating unused insulin
  • Adjustments for menstrual and growth hormones
  • Use of incretin mimetics (exenatide, pramlintide)
  • Function & use of oral diabetes medications

PUMP THERAPY

  • Principles of insulin pump therapy
  • Insulin pump basal testing procedures
  • Application of advanced insulin pump features
  • Pump troubleshooting & DKA prevention
  • Insulin pump technical training
  • Pump selection & infusion set criteria
  • Proper rotation of infusion sites

NUTRITION

  • Basic carbohydrate counting
  • Advanced techniques in carbohydrate counting
  • Making use of the glycemic index
  • Weight management for diabetics
  • Strategies for dining out at restaurants
  • Gastroparesis diets and celiac diets
  • Improving cholesterol profiles

EXERCISE

  • Exercise planning for diabetics
  • Managing blood sugar during sports & exercise
  • Strength training principles
  • Principles of sports nutrition

CHILDRENS' CONCERNS

  • School nurse training
  • Camp preparation
  • Responsibilities based on stage of maturation
  • Sports performance strategies
  • Staying motivated
  • College / boarding school preparation

PREGNANCY

  • Pre-pregnancy diabetes management counseling
  • Blood sugar regulation through pregnancy
  • Pregnancy & exercise
  • Perinatal nutrition
  • Delivery planning
  • Postpartum control

SOCIAL NEEDS

  • Education for family members and caregivers
  • Traveling with diabetes
  • Community and financial aid resources
  • Strategies for managing stress
  • Depression screening and treatment options
  • Impact of alcohol on glycemic control
  • Health care system utilization
  • Surgery preparation