Diabetes update: promoting effective disease management

Diabetes is common, serious, costly, and controllable. Current scientific evidence indicates much of the morbidity and mortality associated with diabetes can be eliminated through prevention, early detection, improved delivery of care, and better education for diabetes self management. Unfortunately, a wide gap still exists between current and desired diabetes care and practices. Using existing tools (see Figure) (Kentucky Diabetes Network, 2004), the occupational health nurse can help bridge this gap for employees with diabetes by assuring a workplace that supports achievement of successful outcomes related to diabetes management and control.