The Diabetes Program

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease that develops when the body does not produce or use insulin correctly. Insulin, a hormone, is used to change sugar and other foods into energy. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body is unable to produce insulin and usually requires insulin treatment. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin (or the body does not use the insulin) to make energy. Type 2 diabetes can be managed by diet, exercise, and medication. Diabetes can lead to hardening of the arteries, which are fat-like deposits that can build up in your arteries. This can result in a heart attack, stroke, loss of limb, or blindness.

• Endocrinologists
• Your primary care physician
• Registered dietitians
• Diabetes care managers
• Clinical support staff

Our Diabetes Program:

Level I:

The Living Well with Diabetes Class offers members an opportunity to:

• Learn about diabetes
• Acquire skills to manage diet, exercise, and medication management
• Review lab results
• Participate in interactive discussions and self-care strategies for meal planning, foot care, heart health, emotional issues, and kidney health
• Learn how to use a blood sugar monitor
• Learn about Type 2 diabetes

Level II:

Requires A Physician Referral

The goal of the Diabetes Care Management Program is to help members self-manage their diabetes. The Certified Diabetes Educators support glucose, lipid and hypertension control to maintain a hemoglobin A1c level below 7.0%, a LDL level below 100, and blood pressure below 129/79.

To enter this program, patients must have one of the following requirements:

• A hemoglobin A1c level greater than 8
• Frequent hypoglycemia events
• A new diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes
• Recent hospital or Emergency Department visit related to diabetes

Medications:

Learn about how diabetes medications work.

Statin (i.e., lovastatin)	Lowers your LDL and prevents blood clots and inflammation of your arteries
ACE Inhibitor (i.e., lisinopril)	Lowers your blood pressure
Beta Blocker (i.e., atenolol, metoprolol)	Reduces the workload of your heart

Talk to your physician to see if these medications are right for you.

Kaiser Santa Rosa's Diabetes Team (L to R): Rebecca Lerman, RD, CDE; Brenda Cuevas, Program Assistant; Patricia Camazon, RN, CDE; Jeanne Johnson, RN, CDE; and Vicky McKay, RD. Missing: Michelle Mason-Chadd, RN, CDE; Phyllis Biederman, RN, CDE; Astrid Ortega, NP, CDE

What You Can Do?

Follow Diabetes "Best Practices" (high-quality treatment recommendations) to prevent and control symptoms for diabetes, heart attack, or stroke:

• Get annual lab tests:
• Cholesterol (LDL should be less than 100)
• Urine microalbumin (kidney function test)
• ALT (liver function test)
• Maintain a blood pressure of 129/79 or lower
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle:
• Quit smoking
• Keep a healthy weight
• Follow dietary guidelines for diabetes
• Be physically active for 30 minutes or more, most days of the week
• Get started with diabetes and exercise information
• Sign up for your personal program to help you achieve your goals in mind/body health, weight management, nutrition, and fitness

As a Kaiser Permanente member, you may:

• Be requested by your primary care physician to get diabetes lab tests (hemoglobin A1c, LDL, urine microalbumin, and ALT)
• Participate in related health education classes.
  • Cholesterol Class
  • Smoking Cessation Class
  • Diabetes Basics Class in English or La Diabetes y Su Salud in Spanish
  • Diabetes and Nutrition Class
• Contact your primary care physician to discuss if the Level II, Diabetes Care Management Program is right for you

Diabetes Information:

• Diabetes Educational Resource Guide
• Testing Your Own Blood Sugar
• Statins For High Cholesterol
• Eating Well With Diabetes
• Personal Diabetes Record
• Type 2 Diabetes

Resources

• Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases
• National Cholesterol Education Program
• American Diabetes Association
• American Heart Association
• Children With Diabetes