FirstHealth services for diabetes patients in the hospital

Successfully managing diabetes is a team effort. Patients who are in the hospital must learn as much as possible about the disease, methods of treatment and potential complications.

In addition, they should work closely with members of the health team to carefully monitor their individual situations.

FirstHealth’s community case management program for diabetes is a free service to help patients find the solutions they need in order to stay on track and avoid visits to the Emergency Department or admission to the hospital.

The following services are available through the Community Care Coordinator:

• Initial hospital visit if the patient has been hospitalized
• Initial in-home visit to review diabetes management skills and assess personal situations
• Follow-up phone calls and visits as needed
• Help scheduling health care services and managing resources
• Links to community resources and support
• Coordination with your family physician
• Access to related services and programs such as FirstHealth sponsored support groups, dietitians, smoking cessation or behavioral services

Patients can enter the program through a doctor’s or case manager’s referral, or the patient can call the Community Diabetes Program to enroll himself in the program. The community case management program for diabetes is available to eligible patients at FirstHealth hospital.

For more information on the program, call (910) 715-4443.