


"We're extremely honored to receive this award from the American Diabetes Association and it's a testament to the outstanding work of our nurses, physicians and staff within the hospital and at our Diabetes Center," said Mary Gaines, director of Baptist Hospital's Diabetes Center. "This is a serious disease. Our goal is to help patients learn about and manage their diabetes so further medical problems can be prevented or delayed." There are currently 21 million Americans living with diabetes and one million new cases of diabetes are being diagnosed each year. In Tennessee, over 491,000 people have the disease and the state has the third highest number of diabetes related deaths in the country.
Certificate of Recognition for Diabetes Self-Management Education - 2006-2009
Read More
First in Tennessee and fourth in the nation to earn a Certificate of Distinction for Advanced Inpatient Diabetes Care from The Joint Commission
Read More
The award comes in conjunction with Baptist Hospital's recent Certificate of Distinction for Advanced Inpatient Diabetes Care from The Joint Commission, the national organization that accredits health care institutions across the United States. Baptist Hospital is the first hospital in Tennessee to earn the distinction. Baptist Hospital proactively works to monitor glycemic control during a patient's hospital stay, especially for those patients in the critical care area, because it can reduce morbidity and overall mortality. In addition, the hospital is working to screen patients as they are admitted to the hospital in order to identify those that have not been diagnosed. Approximately one-third of people with diabetes are unaware of diagnosis.
The Diabetes Center offers diabetes education to both inpatients and outpatients that meet the American Diabetes Association and Healthways, Inc. national diabetes standards for excellence. Baptist Hospital is a member of Saint Thomas Health, a faith-based ministry with more than 8,000 associates serving Middle Tennessee. Saint Thomas Health's regional health system consists of four hospitals - Baptist and Saint Thomas Hospitals in Nashville, Middle Tennessee Medical Center in Murfreesboro and Hickman Community Hospital in Centerville - and a comprehensive network of affiliated joint ventures in diagnostics, cardiac services and ambulatory surgery as well as medical practices, the Center for Spinal Surgery, clinics and rehabilitation facilities. Saint Thomas Health is a member of Ascension Health, a Catholic organization that is the largest not-for-profit health system in the United States.