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News Release

DIABETES CARE CENTER FIGHTS BACK AGAINST A DEADLY DISEASE

Jan. 29, 2007 — UPMC Northwest’s new Diabetes Care Center is aggressively fighting back against a disease that has reached near epidemic proportions in this area.

Registered dietitian Julie Carothers (left) and registered nurse Deb Dowling are full-time staff members of UPMC Northwest's Diabetes Care Center.

Because of aging, obesity and other factors, thousands of area residents have diabetes, and complications and deaths occur here at a rate about 40 percent higher than the statewide averages.

The Diabetes Care Center is committing more resources than ever to preventing and treating the disease, including two full-time staff members – diabetes educator Deb Dowling, RN, and registered dietitian Julie Carothers, RD – who devote their time exclusively to teaching and caring for diabetes patients.

One of the weapons they use to combat the disease is UPMC Northwest’s eight-hour Diabetes Management class, which the Diabetes Care Center will offer 18 times in 2007, almost double the number of classes from last year. Patients who learn to monitor their blood sugar, eat well, exercise and take medication are healthier and have fewer complications such as vision and foot problems, says Diabetes Care Center manager Amy Uhler, RN.

The American Diabetes Association has recognized the center’s Diabetes Management Class for excellence in diabetes education.

Another weapon is UPMC Northwest’s new diabetes registry, a state-of-the-art information system that equips UPMC Northwest better than ever to monitor diabetes patients. The registry provides doctors with detailed reports about their patients so, when necessary, the physicians can order treatment that may prevent sickness or restore patients’ well-being.

The Diabetes Care Center also fights back with screenings in the community. The center and Venango County Diabetes Task Force are offering more diabetes screenings and are expanding their outreach to patients with services like vision and foot screenings and flu and pneumonia vaccines.

The Diabetes Care Center is part of the University of Pittsburgh Diabetes Institute and is helping to bring the institute’s advanced treatment techniques to patients here.

Among the center’s other diabetes-fighting techniques: inpatient care protocols (new guidelines are in place to improve outcomes for inpatients with diabetes, especially surgical and intensive care patients); school support (Diabetes Care Center staff members support area school nurses and teachers who have students with diabetes); and insulin pump help (certified trainers provide education and support for patients whose treatment requires an insulin pump).

“Diabetes is having a huge impact on our communities, and we need resources like these to prevent and control it,” Ms. Uhler says. “Our goal is to improve the health and quality of life of an entire segment of our population.”