Thursday, May 29, 2014
New Funding Will Assist Unattached Patients With, Or At Risk for, Diabetes
The Pembroke Regional Hospital is pleased to announce that people without a family doctor (known as unattached patients) in Renfrew County who have diabetes or are at risk of developing diabetes will now be able to access disease support and management services thanks to new funding from the Champlain Local Health Intergration Network.
Diabetes is a complex and progressive chronic disease with many regular tests and screening required for disease management.
Without access to primary care, there is a definite lack of coordination and monitoring of these high need clients, resulting in a higher risk for the occurrence of complications, along with inappropriate use of hospital emergency departments as an alternative.
According to Diabetes Education Coordinator Karen Roosen, the new funding in the amount of $58,407 from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care is being used by the Renfrew County Diabetes Education Program, administered by PRH, to support the large number of people both living with diabetes or at risk of developing diabetes who have not had a primary care provider for more than 12 months and are lacking in proper disease management.
The new funding has allowed for the hiring of a part-time registered nurse and a part-time social worker who are working closely with an endocrinologist, in addition to the established diabetes education teams across all hospital and community outreach sites in Renfrew County, to support the needs of unattached clients. This additional team is based at the Renfrew Victoria Hospital site and provides county-wide services both on-site and via telemedicine. Individuals can access this service by calling the Renfrew County Diabetes Education Program at 1-855-293-7838.
“The Diabetes Educator (RN) conducts the initial intake assessment and provides support for unattached clients either through telemedicine or on site visits to the four sites in Pembroke, Renfrew, Arnprior and Barry’s Bay with assistance from the endocrinologist,” Mrs. Roosen said.
“In tandem, the social worker provides self management support and counselling as required, helps the client to navigate the health care system and assists the client to access a primary care provider for a sustainable solution.”
Mrs. Roosen said the new funding will allow the work of a previous pilot project to continue on a more permanent basis.
“We’re excited to have been granted permanent funding to be able to implement all elements of the pilot project which was very successful and demonstrated evidence-based results,” Mrs. Roosen said.
“Not only will this provide total care to those in need, but it will also help to avoid unnecessary emergency department visits and hospital admissions due to patients having a better ability to self-manage their symptoms,” she said.
Chris Ferguson, Vice-President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Executive at Renfrew Victoria Hospital said the funding of the unattached client program fills an important need in Renfrew County.
“A person living with diabetes that does not have access to a family physician will now be able to access a social worker, CDE certified Registered Nurse and Registered Dietitian and a physician to ensure that they receive the best possible care and support in living with this chronic disease.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Carolyn Levesque, Public Affairs and Communications Coordinator
Pembroke Regional Hospital
(613) 732-3675, ext. 6165 / carolyn.levesque@pemreghos.org
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