Diabetes Program

What is Diabetes?

It is estimated that approximately 16 million people in the United States have Diabetes. Diabetes occurs when the body does not make enough insulin or when the insulin you do make does not work as well as it should. Under normal circumstances, the food you eat is converted into glucose (a kind of sugar) and then transported to your bloodstream. Insulin, which is produced by your pancreas, helps to move glucose from your bloodstream into your cells. Your cells then utilize glucose as an energy source necessary for daily living. In patients with diabetes, the insulin does not effectively transport glucose into the cells. Therefore, it remains in the bloodstream and causes your blood sugar levels to escalate. If left untreated, such high blood glucose levels can result in complications that effect your vision, heart, kidneys and circulation.

The Diabetes Program

The Diabetes Program at Aventura Hospital and Medical Center is certified by the American Diabetes Association and is nationally recognized for providing the highest quality care to patients with diabetes. Since its opening in 1990, the Diabetes Program has provided basic and comprehensive education to over 3,500 individuals by utilizing its 21-bed inpatient setting, as well as its extensive outpatient program. Using a multidisciplinary approach, our team of independent physicians, endocrinologists, certified diabetes educators, diabetes clinical nurse specialists, nutrition education specialists and exercise physiologist work closely with the patient to provide instruction on diabetes management, as well as its immediate and long-term effects.

The purpose of the Diabetes program is to provide current, high quality is to provide current, high quality diabetes education and treatment services under the guidance of the patient's primary care physician.

Our goal is to provide the necessary tools in order for the patient to take full control over the management of their diabetes. This is accompanied by the following:

• Increasing the patient's self-management skills
• Increasing the patient's independence in the daily management of diabetes
• Creating a positive atmosphere in which patients can rely on the consistent support of the diabetes care team

Ongoing Support

Managing your diabetes is easier with ongoing support and education. The Diabetes Support Group is an independent, non-profit organization that meets at Aventura Hospital and Medical Center. The Sugar Free Club is a support group for individuals with diabetes, their family members, friends or anyone interested in learning more about the disease. Outpatient Diabetes Education Classes and Outpatient Diabetes Exercise Classes are offered on an ongoing basis. For the dates, times and locations of our support groups and education programs, please call the Diabetes Program at (305) 682-7266.

American Diabetes Association

The Diabetes Program at Aventura Hospital and Medical Center has been awarded recognition by the American Diabetes Association in accordance with the National Standards for Diabetes Patient Education Programs.

The staff at Aventura Hospital and Medical Center Diabetes Program looks forward to helping you manage your diabetes and live a healthier lifestyle.