A new hospital program in Los Angeles has successfully reduced diabetic amputations to zero for at-risk patients. The program, which was launched four years ago, provides intensive management for high-risk patients, including those with Type 1 diabetes, gestational diabetes, or high blood sugar levels.

Program Details

The program includes a team of dedicated support staff, including a clinical care pharmacist, a diabetes educator, community health workers, and a nurse care manager. Patients in the program have access to weekly produce deliveries, bimonthly cooking classes, and regular check-ins with their care team.

According to Dr. Jorge Reyno, MLK’s senior vice president for population health, the program’s success is due to the hospital’s commitment to providing high-quality care to its patients, regardless of their zip code. The program has also been successful in reducing blood sugar levels and blood pressure for its patients.

Impact on Patients

For patients like Michelle Caldwell, the program has been a game-changer. Caldwell, who has been living with Type 2 diabetes for over three decades, has been able to better manage her disease through the program. She has learned to decode nutrition labels, developed a taste for salads and nuts, and has even started attending cooking classes at the hospital.

However, Caldwell still faces one hurdle: finding supportive and stylish footwear. As someone who loves sandals, she has been struggling to find podiatrist-approved options that don’t compromise her sense of style.

The program’s success has also been recognized by medical professionals, who note that diabetic-related amputations are a serious and costly complication of the disease. According to Dr. David G. Armstrong, director of USC’s limb preservation program, diabetes costs $306.6 billion in U.S. direct medical spending each year, with foot ulcer-related issues responsible for about one-third of that amount.

Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.