Diabetes Education Program
The Diabetes Education Program at Washington Adventist Hospital and Shady Grove Adventist Hospital provides comprehensive education and training by Certified Diabetes Educators to help patients learn and manage all aspects of diabetes care and prevent complications.
Diabetes Program Topics
Topics covered through the program include:
- Blood glucose monitoring
- Preventing short and long-term complications
- Medication information
- Healthy nutrition
- Risk reduction
- Exercise information
- Goal setting, handling feelings, problem solving
Individualized Plans of Care
Specially trained experts help develop individualized plans of care with participants, their family and primary care physicians. All national standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education are followed.
Diabetes Resources
Facts & Information
Diabetes is caused by a problem in the way your body makes or uses insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas to control blood sugar. Diabetes can be caused by too little insulin, resistance to insulin, or both.
Diabetes is a lifelong disease and people with diabetes have high blood sugar. This is because:
- Their pancreas does not make enough insulin
- Their muscle, fat, and liver cells do not respond to insulin normally
- Both of the above
Visit our diabetes library page for more information on prevention and treatment.
News & Resources
Additional Links & Resources
Additional Program Details
Classes are held at both Shady Grove Adventist Hospital and Washington Adventist Hospital. Group classes are held for 3 sessions, 3 hours each session. Before the first class, participants will schedule a one-on-one visit with an educator for an introductory session. View Upcoming Dates & Times
PLEASE NOTE: Individual sessions and Insulin instruction are available if needed. Please contact us for details.
Pregnancy and Diabetes
Women who have diabetes while pregnant have special needs. A diabetes educator conducts this program providing information on proper nutrition and blood glucose control for pregnant women.
Insurance Coverage
- Medicare Part B covers 80% of the approved cost for 10 hours of the program (9 in a group setting, 1 individual.)
- For other insurers (Blue Cross, Aetna, United, etc.) please check with your health insurance provider to see if your benefits cover Diabetes Education services. We can assist you with this process.
- All patients must have a referral before starting classes or coming for their individual session. We can obtain this on your behalf, or if you plan to get this from your doctor, please contact us so that we can provide you with the correct form.
