Capstone Online

Photo Credit: Ron Ceasar

Using state-of-the-art EyeTel Retinal Imaging System, Fitsum Kebede, registered medical assistant, assists patient. The equipment is used for problems commonly associated with Diabetes such as age-related macular degeneration, optic disc abnormalities such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.

The Diabetes Treatment Center (DTC) at Howard University Hospital is a state-of-the-art facility that services the multiple medical needs of diabetic patients through a multidisciplinary approach to patient care. “In keeping with the hospital’s mission of excellence in service, education and research, we are excited to offer specialized services including endocrinology, ophthalmology, podiatry, diabetes educators, pharmacists, and nutritionists,” said Gail Nunlee-Bland, M.D., associate professor & chief, Division of Endocrinology.

During the November ribbon-cutting ceremony, Bland described the Center’s use of the latest technology entailing an electronic medical record which allows health care providers in the various specialties to view patients’ entire medical chart. This integration facilitates preventive health maintenance and early treatment of complications should they occur. Also, on-site analysis of self-blood glucose monitoring, eye screening, nerve screening and glycosylated hemoglobin testing for assessment of diabetes care is also available, facilitating immediate feedback to patients regarding overall diabetes control.

“In addition to medical care, education is key to diabetes self-management,” says Bland. “The center’s education program, recognized by the American Diabetes Association for quality diabetes education, fosters group and individual diabetes education and counseling by certified diabetes educators and nutritionists.” Counseling is tailored to the patient’s goals, education and lifestyle.

According to the most recent statistics available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, diabetes now affects nearly 21 million Americans, or 7 percent of the U.S. population, and more than 6 million of those people do not know they have diabetes. Diabetes continues to be the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. Compared to non-Hispanic whites, diabetes continues to be more common (1.7 to 2.2 times more common) among American Indians and Alaska Natives, non-Hispanic blacks, Hispanic/Latino Americans, and Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

The DTC seeks to educate and empower the community by reaching out through clinics, schools, churches, libraries, recreation centers and other safe environments to help reduce diabetes morbidity and mortality by increasing the community’s awareness and understanding of the health issues and available solutions. Furthermore, the center conducts community focus groups to review health indices in particular neighborhoods and develops relationships to attract more patients while providing treatment access to at-risk patient populations.