Bemidji Area Model Diabetes
Program
Northern Minnesota Diabetes Resource
Center
Cass Lake, Minnesota
Linda A. Fellows, MS, RD, LD,CDE
Interim Director, DiabetesCenter
Cass Lake Indian Hospital
425 - 7th Street N W
Cass Lake, Minnesota 56633
Phone: (218) 335-3244
FAX: (218) 335-3300
E-mail: linda.fellows@ihs.gov
Program Description
Established in 1988 with three Bemidji Area Service Units
participting to (1) develop high quality diabetes programs
for their particular communities and (2) to develop prevention
and mangagement strategies and disseminate information throughout
the area. In 1989 the Cass Lake Service Unit was selected
to be responsible for the Area diabetes goals
Program Goals
- Implement a comprehensive high quality health care program
which would promote active participation self-management
- Promote primary prevention through education and early
detection through screening
- Provide assistance and share strategies with the regional
and national Indian health network
- Provide continuous quality improvement of diabetes services
and appropriteness of care.
Data & Epidemiology
- Leech Lake Reservation population is 6,260. There are
1,001 persons on the Diabetes Register, 726 people with
diabetes actively seek care at Cass Lake Hospital. 34 Tribes
in the Bemidji Area.
Clinical
- Implemented Diabetes Standards of Care
- Instituted Staged Diabetes Management (S D M) at Cass
Lake
- Developed registries for Diabetes (D M), Gestational Diabetes
(G D M), and offspring G D M pregnancy and ulcer/amputation
- Monitored quality of care through annual audits
- Provided continuous monitoring of new D M medications
- Developed and shared an appointment system to assure equality
of diabetes clinic appointments.
Primary Prevention
- Screening for adults & high-risk children
- Education at worksites, health fairs & community events
for diabetes prevention.
Secondary Prevention
- Clinic prescreening protocols developed, & flagging
system desgigned to meet Standards of Care for all persons
whether or not they attend diabetes clinic.
- Prenatal care incentive programs for positive health behaviors.
- Comprehensive clinic for annual eye, foot and dental care.
- Self blood glucose monitoring program-all persons eligible
for monitors.
- Resource library for patients nd providers.
Tertiary Prevention
- Referrals for orthotics & laser treatments
- Talking blood glucose monitors for visually impaired.
Community
- Sponsorship of "Strong in Body & Spirit"
program, "Support Group" training (Area wide)
- Developed interactive displays for nutrition & fitness
education at health fairs and community events
- Nutrition, fitness & diabetes education for elders,
Head Start, day care, women's services & chemical dependency
programs--staff and participants.
Education
- Conferences & inservices: professional/para-professionals
on diabetes
- Individual patients & family education
- Preceptorship at Diabetes Center for physicians, nurses,
dieticians, etc.
- College classes for C H R s & other health workers
Resource & Product Development
- Holiday recipe book
- Fitness Program Challenges
- Comprehensive Foot Care-developing a program booklet &
screening form
- Manual on corn, callus care and nail care
- Interactive education displays
- Review & field testing of I H S, National Institute
of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney disease materials
- Collaboration on publishing--12+ articles. Presentations
at National I H S, A A D E, and Indigenous Peoples Conference
Challenges
- Understaffed for number of clients served & flat line
budget for 5-6 years.
- Facility built in 1930's with some renovations
- Lack of space, extremely challenging for entire hospital
Unique Contribution
- National recognition foot care. The Program has excelled
in sharing developments with other Indian programs, other
agencies, Universities, etcetra.
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PROGRAM DIRECTORY |
Division of Diabetes
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Alaska Area
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Albuquerque Area
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Bemidji Area
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California Area
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Oklahoma Area
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Phoenix Area
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Portland Area
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Tucson Area
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