Because almost half of people starting dialysis have kidney failure caused by diabetes, Qsource is encouraging people with diabetes to take steps to help keep their kidneys healthy.

Diabetes can damage kidneys. This damage can happen over many years, without the person with diabetes feeling it.

While March is National Kidney Month, Qsource concentrates on kidney care all year long by offering diabetes self- management education (DSME) in all five states, Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee, we serve.  DSME is a proven intervention for empowering persons with diabetes to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to improve the quality of their lives. DSME prevents and may lessen the severity of complications resulting from diabetes, such as kidney failure, amputations, vision loss, heart failure and stroke.

Qsource invites you to ensure all patients with diabetes and pre-diabetes can take part in DSME. In the states we serve, train-the-trainer programs increase the numbers of certified diabetes educators (CDEs) and community health workers (CHWs). To learn more, please contact Debra Bratton, RN, BSN, CPHQ, CPHM.