Regional Health Services of Howard County

Diabetic Education Program

A diabetes education program will help you learn how to live with diabetes. Diabetic Education is primarily an outpatient service provided for patients of Regional Health Services of Howard County. Jan Spalla, Registered Nurse, and Sandy Hagen, Registered Dietitian, staff the Diabetic Education Program. Jan and Sandy are both Certified Diabetes Educators.

What will I learn about diabetes?

There are many things to know about diabetes. You will learn about:

Planning meals to help lower your blood sugar and manage your weight
Exercise and being active
The medication you may take and how it works
How to check your blood sugar
What to do when you are sick
What you can do to live a healthy life

When will this program start?

Your health care provider or doctor will send a note to the diabetes team. When they receive this note, you will be called for your first appointment. If you have concerns with transportation, please talk to your diabetes educator about possible options.

Where do I go for diabetes education?

Group or individual sessions are held in Cresco at Regional Health Services of Howard County/Hospital Services, 235 8th Avenue West.

How many sessions are in a complete program?

The program in Cresco includes an individual visit with the dietitian. After that there are four to six sessions. The sessions are held one day each week for four to six weeks. Each session is one to two hours.

What if I can’t come to one of the sessions?

You can make up the session. Ask your educator when you can make up the session you will miss.

Does insurance pay for diabetes education?

Medicare will help pay for diabetes education if you have Medicare Part B and meet certain criteria. Payment by other insurance companies will depend upon your plan. Please contact your insurance company. Ask if your policy covers “diabetes self-management training”. If you have more questions, your educator will help you get them answered. In some cases, financial assistance is available.

Is the diabetes education program certified?

Yes, the Mercy Health Network – North Iowa program in Cresco is certified by the American Diabetes Association.

Diabetic Education Class Outline:

Class 1         What is Diabetes?
                       Blood Sugar Monitoring
                        Acute Complications: hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia

Class 2 Nutrition Management

Class 3         Exercise Program
                       Medication
                       Stress Management/Lifestyle Changes

Class 4         Long Term Complications
                       Goal Setting/Behavior Changes
                       Sick Days/Follow-up Care

For more information on the Diabetic Education Program offered at Regional Health Services of Howard County, please contact either Jan Spalla, RN, or Sandy Hagen, RD, at Hospital Services, 563.547.2101.

Sandy Hagen, RD and Jan Spalla, RN
Sandy Hagen, RD, and Jan Spalla, RN
Certified Diabetic Educators