Perspectives on Diabetes Care

DANA: Keeping Diabetes Educators on Top of Their Game

Jun 4, 2019, 10:30 AM

by Lucille Hughes DNP, MSN/Ed, CDE, BC-ADM, FAADE
Director, Diabetes Education
South Nassau Communities Hospital
Treasurer AADE 2018

I had the wonderful privilege of speak about DANA for the Garden State Association of Diabetes Educators Conference on May 17 at the Forsgate Country Club in Monroe Township, NJ. What a wonderfully engaged group as I started the morning off speaking about all the wonderful resources DANA provides for us, and all right at our fingertips.  It is my goal to continue to spread the word and share with all professionals working in the field of diabetes, just what DANA can offer.

Today more than ever we rely on technology. As the Director of Diabetes Education at South Nassau Communities Hospital, I see firsthand the need for technology support in our work. More than 50% of our patients either participate in a professional continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) study or wear a personal model. More than 25% of our patients use an insulin pump for their insulin delivery or come to see us to explore insulin pump therapy as an option for their insulin delivery. Let’s not forget about the enormous amount of pens on the market to deliver either insulin or other medications used in the management of diabetes. 

DANA keeps each and every one of us relevant. It allows us to be at the top of our game and relevant to the organizations we work in.

Before DANA it was close to impossible to keep up with all the devices and apps our patients were using, or better yet, have the knowledge to guide our patients to the best device or app for them. With DANA it is one-stop shopping for me. I can now go directly to DANAtech.org and have access to everything and anything I need. Even better; as a director, I can assign or suggest CEU offerings to my staff to enhance their skills and growth in the field of diabetes care, management and education. Moreover, I know I can always rely on DANA to provide me the evidence I need when either putting together a presentation or speaking to my administration about ongoing support for the diabetes service line in my organization.