A recognized leader in diabetes care and treatment
Catch and treat diabetes early, and patients can make the lifestyle choices necessary to avoid serious complications and lead longer, healthier lives.
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Dr. Stephen Rittenhouse, from Landisville Family
Health Center, checks a patient for symptoms of
diabetes that can lead to complications. He is one
of more than 70 Lancaster General Medical Group
doctors recognized by the Diabetes Physician
Recognition Program. |
Doctors in the Lancaster General Medical Group (LGMG) continue to rank among the best nationwide at helping patients make the healthiest choices and successfully treating their condition.
Over 70 physicians who are a part of LGMG were recently recognized by the Diabetes Physician Recognition Program (DPRP) for providing high quality care to patients with diabetes. The awards are presented for a three-year period by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA).
“Successful treatment of diabetes requires lifestyle modification, such as diet and exercise, and appropriate use of medication,” says Charles Rost, MD, of Diabetes and Endocrinology Specialists, an LGMG practice specializing in metabolic disorders like diabetes. “NCQA is recognizing doctors who are doing a better job of getting people to meet their goals.” The ADA goal is a glycohemoglobin less than 7.0%. The glycohemoglobin reflects the average blood sugar value over the past two to three months.
“Diabetes is the most common cause for adult blindness, kidney dialysis and non-traumatic lower extremity amputation,” adds David Bowers, MD, Director of Clinical Affairs at LGMG. “When we achieve better control of the diabetes, a patient is less likely to develop serious long-term complications, which usually take more than a decade to develop.”
Diabetes screening
One of the difficulties with diagnosing diabetes is a lack of specific symptoms. “According to the American Diabetes Association, 7% percent of adults and children in the United States are diabetic, and one-third of them are not aware that they have it,” Dr. Bowers says.
Symptoms can include frequent thirst and urination, blurred vision and excessive tiredness. But these are not necessarily symptoms someone might realize are being caused by diabetes. And a person with diabetes may exhibit none of these symptoms. “That’s why proper screening for diabetes is essential for diagnosis,” Dr. Bowers says.
Adults 45 years old or older should be screened for diabetes—or younger for adults who are overweight, are members of a high-risk ethnic population such as African-American, Latino, Asian-American, Native-American and Pacific Islanders, have delivered a baby weighing more than nine pounds, have high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels, vascular disease, have a family history of diabetes or who exhibit typical symptoms of diabetes.
Education
Proper diabetes education is the first step in successful treatment, Dr. Rost says.
“Our treatment is only effective if the patient understands his or her responsibilities,” he says. Lancaster General offers classes with certified diabetes educators who provide patients with information and guidance.
“We believe it’s more valuable to have someone explain these matters to patients, rather than just provide them with written material to read,” Dr. Rost says. Successful treatment requires family support, and he encourages spouses to also attend the classes.
“It’s difficult for patients to avoid things when a spouse brings them into the house,” Dr. Rost says. “The spouse needs to know the importance of these changes and their role in the care of their loved one. It’s not just about length of life, but quality of life, too.”
Call the Diabetes & Nutrition Center at (717) 544-5923 for dates, locations and cost of the next education program.
Staged diabetes management
One way LGMG provides consistent, proactive care is through Staged Diabetes Management (SDM), a nationally recognized framework of clinical guidelines designed to make sure patients are always given the most effective treatment possible.
“It has transformed the way our physicians manage patients with diabetes and provided sustainable improvements,” Dr. Bowers says. During the first year of its implementation in 1997, LGMG achieved a 15 percent improvement in the average blood sugar level in patients, and 70 percent of patients saw improvement.
“The 15 percent reduction in glycohemoglobin levels translates into a 40 percent reduction in the risk of long-term complications for our patients,” Dr. Bowers said.
“We don’t want things to stagnate with a patient’s care,” Dr. Rost says. “With Staged Diabetes Management, we are continually working to lower a patient’s glycohemoglobin. If a treatment isn’t working, we will try other proven techniques.”
The program has seen considerable growth. During its first year LGMG enrolled about 150 diabetic patients. Today, over 6,000 people trust their diabetic care and treatment to LGMG physicians.
LGMG continues to rank in the top 10 percent of practices nationwide in nearly all quality care outcomes for diabetic patients, according to NCQA. In 2005, Lancaster General Hospital was recognized for the second time as one the Top 50 U.S. hospitals for Hormonal Disorders by U.S. News & World Report.
Finding the right doctor
How can you know if you are receiving proper care for the management of your diabetes from your physician? Dr. Rost suggests looking at five key factors:
- Is your doctor asking you to check your blood sugar regularly?
- Does your doctor talk about diet control and suggest strategies during your visits?
- Is your doctor pushing for ways to get your glycohemoglobin less than 7.0%?
- Does your doctor regularly check for foot problems, cholesterol levels, and protein in your urine?
- Is your doctor recommending annual appointments with an ophthalmologist to check for diabetic eye problems?
“If your doctor is doing these things, he or she is a good diabetes practitioner and is looking for the things that can lead to complications,” Dr. Rost says. Fortunately, doctors at all of our LGMG practices are doing a good job of trying to help diabetic patients reach their goals.
In addition to Diabetes & Endocrinology Specialists, LGMG primary care physician offices receiving the recognition include:
- Crooked Oak Family Health Center
- East Petersburg Family Health Center
- Family Practice Associates of Lancaster
- Landisville Family Health Center
- Lititz Family Practice Associates
- Manheim Family Health Center
- Medical Associates of Lancaster
- New Holland Family Health Center
- Norlanco Medical Associates
- Strasburg Family Health Center, and
- Susquehanna Family Health Center.
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