Diabetes Management Program
What is Diabetes?
 Diabetes is a condition in which the body does not make enough insulin or the body cells cannot use insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone that helps the body use glucose (sugar) for energy. Without insulin, glucose, which is the body's main energy source, builds up in the blood.
Diabetes is a disease that can have serious effects on your body, and many of those effects are permanent. If left untreated, diabetes can lead to heart and kidney disease, amputations, blindness and other serious problems. Each year about 3 million people who have diabetes are admitted to the hospital.
Are You At Risk?
Type 2 Diabetes is the most common form of the disease, and approximately 90 to 95 percent of Americans with diabetes are Type 2 patients - about 18 million people. Could you be at risk for the disease? For more information about the symptoms of and risk factors for diabetes, click here.
 The WakeMed Diabetes Management Program Can Help
Our caring, experienced staff of diabetes nurse clinicians and dietitians can help you learn to control your diabetes by eating healthy, exercising and taking your medications properly. We provide this education and support through our Outpatient Program and, if you need to be in the hospital, through our Inpatient Services. Services are available at WakeMed's Raleigh campus and WakeMed Cary Hospital.
Inpatient Services
Management of your blood sugar or glucose level is important, perhaps even more important while you are a patient in the hospital. Research has shown that keeping blood glucose levels near normal can help to reduce complications and improve your overall outcome.
Our staff understands your special needs while you are in the hospital. We work with your doctor and nurses to give you the highest quality care for your diabetes and other conditions. This includes managing your blood glucose levels, providing for your nutritional needs and assuring you have the basic skills to manage your diabetes once you leave the hospital. Advanced instructions are provided through the Outpatient Education Program.
Outpatient Education* Program
 Working with your doctor, our team creates a care plan for you with comprehensive self-management instruction. The WakeMed Diabetes Management Program has been Recognized by the American Diabetes Association for Quality Self-Management Education.* This 10-hour series of classes for the adult with diabetes addresses various topics, including:
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Education content recommended by the American Diabetes Association
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Blood glucose monitoring
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Insulin and oral medication administration skills
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Nutrition counseling and meal planning
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Weight control
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Exercise counseling
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Dealing with complications of diabetes
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Support for you and your family
Follow-up sessions are scheduled during the third, sixth and twelfth month of your program to measure your progress towards goals you have set. These sessions also give you ongoing support for the daily management of your diabetes. For information on the components of the Self-Management Education program, click here. To read comments from patients who have participated in WakeMed's Diabetes Management Education classes, click here.
A physician referral is required if you wish to enroll in the WakeMed Outpatient Diabetes Self-Management Education Program.
For a physician referral form to receive outpatient diabetes self-management training, click here.
For a physician referral form to receive outpatient gestational diabetes management training, click here.
Diabetes Support Group
The Diabetes Support Group offers open discussion and support for people with diabetes, their families and friends. Our mission is to explore ways to cope with diabetes and discuss the issues of diabetes management. A diabetes nurse specialist serves as the facilitator for the group. To view the 2005 Diabetes Support Group Meeting schedule, visit our Events & Education calendar.
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