Decatur County Hospital Now Accredited by ADCES to Provide Quality Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support
October 19, 2022
At Decatur County Hospital, we’re celebrating a significant milestone of receiving our nationally recognized accreditation by the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (ADCES) for our Diabetic Education program, led by Linda Klejch. Linda is a Certified Diabetic Educator and Registered Dietitian. Accreditation represents a high level of quality and service to the community, and the ability to better meet the needs of Medicare recipients and others affected by diabetes in southern Iowa northern Missouri.
As we continue to evolve to meet your needs, we’re proud to provide a well-rounded approach to serving patients living with diabetes and other endocrine disorders. Four days each month, the DCH Outpatient Clinic hosts Dr. Haytham Kawji, MD, to provide endocrinology services. Dr. Kawji is a board certified endocrinologist who specializes in diagnosing and treating diabetes, thyroid disorders, parathyroid disorders, adrenal gland disorders, pituitary gland disorders, osteoporosis, hypogonadism, and more.
Diabetes education services utilize a collaborative process through which people with or at risk for diabetes work with a diabetes educator to receive individualized care to help them reach their health goals. Diabetes education is a covered Medicare benefit when delivered by a Certified Diabetic Educator through an accredited program. Our diabetic education program provides personalized services to help those living with diabetes manage their daily life. Our Certified Diabetic Educator, Linda Klejch, can help with diabetes management, healthy nutrition, managing your medications, giving advice about healthy fitness activities, finding ways to reduce your risk of disease progression, utilizing equipment for glucose management (glucose meters, continuous glucose monitors, and insulin pumps), and getting access to affordable medications. In order to see Linda for diabetes management services, you will need a referral from a provider such as Dr. Kawji.
“Evidence shows diabetes education and support is helping people with diabetes to lower their A1c’s and obtain the knowledge and skills to better self-manage their condition,” said Sacha Uelmen, Director of Accreditation at ADCES. “That is why we need programs like the one at Decatur County Hospital to make these services available in their community.”
ADCES is a National Accredited Organization (NAO) for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Accredited programs must meet the 2022 National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support; 6 standards that are revised every 5 years by a group of diabetes educators representing both ADCES and the American Diabetes Association and approved by CMS. Programs must maintain compliance with the Standards during the 4-year accreditation cycle.
As we evolve to meet your health care needs, you can rest assured that we will continue to provide the highest level of care. Depending on your insurance, you may not need a referral to see Dr. Kawji to get started in our diabetes management program. To learn more, call us at 641-446-2285, or visit our eccrinology page.
