Diabetes Wellness Center receives $2,100 Glucose Monitor

Submitted by EKFH on 13-08-2014

Cranbrook, BC… Proceeds from East Kootenay Foundation for Health’s 2013 Starlite Campaign continues to make a difference in community care programs throughout the region. The most recent equipment purchase is a $2,100 ISO 2 continuous glucose monitor for the regional Diabetes Wellness Center located at the Cranbrook Health Unit.

The continuous glucose monitoring is an easier way to discover patterns and problems that regular blood glucose meters cannot uncover alone. The sensor provides an average blood sugar measurement every 5 minutes, for up to 6 days at a time. The data can then be downloaded to provide an increased depth of information to make clinical decisions.

“This is a wonderful addition to the toolkit of our diabetes educator,” explains Simonne Haney, RN & Team Lead for Chronic Disease Management at Interior Health. “Presently we have approximately nine patients who will benefit immediately from this type of testing. We sincerely appreciate the support of donors and East Kootenay Foundation for Health,” adds Haney.

The Diabetes Wellness Team is made up of registered nurses and registered dieticians most of who are also certified diabetes educators. The Diabetic Team offers individual appointments and/or group classes to allow those with a Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes diagnosis or a support person for someone living with diabetes to learn more about the overall disease and some solid strategies to maintain a healthy and happy life.

The Diabetes Wellness Program is just one of many community integrated programs in the East Kootenay that takes a proactive approach to health. A gift to EKFH can truly make a difference in helping these programs deliver quality education, equipment and support to patients living in the region.

Visit www.ekfh.ca to learn more or contact the foundation office at 1-877-489-6481 or (250) 489-6481.

L-R: Donna Grainger (EKFH) learns more about the ISO2 continuous glucose monitor from Simonne Haney and Mary Miskulin, Registered Nurses with the Diabetes Wellness Program