MDP Highlights and Updates
Conference Registration is Open
Apply for a Funded Quality Improvement Project
The application period has begun to apply for a quality improvement project. Participating sites will earn $5000 grant funding for their efforts and work will complete June 30, 2024. Applicants have two projects to choose from which will focus on patients with diabetes:
- Improve screening for chronic kidney disease
- Improve screening for retinopathy
Please apply today!
For questions or more information, please reach out to Jennifer.
Awards Deadline Extended
Please consider nominating a colleague or yourself for an award as soon as possible. Each award winner will be announced and recognized at the conference. A plaque will be given for the awardee to keep.
Nominations are now being accepted for five categories:
- Advancing the Vision In Quality Care
- Organizational Leadership in Diabetes Care and Prevention Award
- Lifestyle Coach of the Year
- Distinguished Service Award
- Rising Star Award
For more information, please email Melissa House.
Diabetes Care & Education
Planning for Diabetes Management During a Disaster
The historic Yellowstone flood in the summer of 2022 highlighted the critical need for people with diabetes to plan ahead for disasters or emergencies.
There were locals and visitors to Yellowstone National Park who were stranded for days without their diabetes supplies. Some resorted to social media to try to locate the items they needed in order to manage their diabetes during the height of the natural disaster. Snowstorms, floods, fires, and impassable roads are a part of living in Montana, but that means that preparation for managing your diabetes in these challenging situations is crucial. Don’t wait until you’re in the middle of an emergency to gather your needed supplies. Have a ‘go bag’ ready to roll!
As you think through your daily diabetes regimen, consider how you might do these tasks without any power or water. Pack additional items so you can care for your diabetes under challenging conditions.
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Diabetes Disaster Preparedness Check List
- Non-perishable food and water, enough for several days
- Two weeks of medications and diabetes supplies in a waterproof, insulated bag (be sure none of the medications are expired)
- Medical information – printed copies of prescriptions, insurance card, emergency contacts, and pump settings (basal rates, insulin-to-carb ratios, insulin sensitivity factor, etc.). Note that you may not have access to your pharmacy’s computer system
- Extra syringes, batteries, pump infusion sets, insulin and other injected medication pens, etc.
- If you use a pump, pack a backup method for insulin delivery, such as insulin pens
- Your glucose meter and extra testing supplies, including extra batteries, lancets, and test strips (not expired). If possible, pack an additional, backup meter
- If you use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), pack extra supplies, a backup meter and testing supplies
- If you rely on your smart phone to get your blood glucose readings from your CGM, be sure to pack an extra power bank (charged up) that connects to your phone
- Keep your insulin in a cooler with multiple re-freezable cold packs
- Keep glucose tablets and other low blood sugar treatments handy
- If you are on insulin, have current, unexpired glucagon packed in case of severe low blood sugar
- Wear medical identification
- Wear appropriate and sturdy footwear to keep your feet safe. Check your feet daily for sores, cuts, and blisters, and treat any injury, as needed.
As we are preparing for another Montana winter, be sure to take some time to plan and prepare for the unexpected. The Diabetes Disaster Response Coalition has resources and checklists to help you. Be sure to talk with your Diabetes Care and Education Specialist about planning for diabetes management during disasters. A diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) program is available near you.
For more information on Diabetes Management please email Marci.
Social Determinants of Health
Small Steps to Help Others Prepare
Disasters or emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere, and to any population. Those with struggle with transportation, literacy, or isolation may be impacted the most. Encouraging preparedness is important, especially with people who may be at a disadvantage when the time comes.
You can take small steps today to help those in your community be more prepared if a disaster happens:
- Visit with local community and emergency resources about what services will be available.
- Learn where a local shelter will be held. (The FEMA app can help with this.)
- Identify multiple evacuation routes.
- Plan how to leave if evacuation is required.
Addressing and discussing preparedness can be done in small, bite-sized pieces to avoid overwhelming the individual. Small steps today can make a big difference tomorrow.
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For more information on Social Determinants of Health please email Margaret.
Quality Improvement
Maintenance Makes the Difference
In the quality improvement world, one key piece of improvement is maintenance. That entails checking data, continuing reminders and communication, and monitoring situations.
Similar maintenance activities can result in success with emergency preparedness:
- Re-evaluate your evacuation kit once per year.
- Update your kit based on you or your family's needs.
- Replace expired items.
- Keep a kit at home, work, and in your car as you never know where you may be when it's needed.
Monitoring your emergency supplies can become an easy task when its done on a routine basis. Incorporating these 'checks' into household chores can ensure you're well prepared if the time comes to use your kit.
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For more information on quality improvement, please email Jennifer.
Diabetes Prevention
What’s Your Why for Living Well?
Dorothy’s why, “My why is my family. I’ve learned that I have to take care of me so that I can be there for them.”
There are many reasons to learn more about your health. To know where you stand. To be in control. To feel better. And it all starts with knowing if you’re at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. There’s an easy way to find out – by taking the quick and easy 1-minute, prediabetes risk test.
Why learn your risk? An estimated 96 million American adults – or 1 in 3 – have prediabetes. Prediabetes means your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough yet for a diabetes diagnosis. 34.7% of Montana’s adult population have prediabetes.
You might be at risk of prediabetes if you:
- Have a parent, brother, or sister with type 2 diabetes
- Are 45 years or older
- Are overweight
- Are physically active 3 times or less a week
- Had gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy)
The good news is that prediabetes can often be reversed with lifestyle changes such as eating healthier, increasing physical activity and learning how to manage stress.
You have important reasons to stay healthy – so you can continue to do the things you love with the people you love. So what’s your why? Learn more about pre-diabetes and find a National Diabetes Prevention Program near you.
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For more information on the Diabetes Prevention Program please email Ann.
Please share with colleagues, friends, and family. Encourage them to subscribe!
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