BEST HOSPITALS
DIABETES SERVICE PROVIDER OF THE YEAR IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC
GLENEAGLES HOSPITAL KUALA LUMPUR
Established in 2002 , Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur ’ s Diabetes Care Centre empowers those affected by diabetes as well as their caregivers with diabetes selfmanagement support . Managing diabetes can be challenging and changing one ’ s daily routine to include aspects such as healthy eating , exercising , regular monitoring of blood glucose , medications and reducing the risk of complications can be overwhelming .
“ Diabetes is a leading cause of potentially preventable hospitalisations . Our services provide equitable and invaluable diabetes education which has in turn resulted in significant patient satisfaction and improved patient outcomes ,” shared Dr Saiful B Kassim , Consultant Endocrinologist , Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur .
“ Over the years , our Diabetes unit has gone from strength to strength , and we work as a multi-disciplinary team ; so , this is great recognition of the work we are doing , and the difference teamwork can make to patient care ,” he added .
“ At our centre , we have two dedicated and highly capable Diabetes Specialist Nurse Educators to educate both local and international patients on diabetes-specific cutting-edge technology such as insulin pumps , ICR ( insulin to carbohydrate ratios ) and ISF ( insulin sensitivity factors ),” said Dr Saiful B Kassim .
“ As I said , we take a multidisciplinary approach to diabetes management and to that end , we have five specialist dieticians whom we work with closely not only for diabetes patients but also obesity patients to assist in their weight loss regimen and peri-bariatric surgery therapy . We also have a close working relationship with a specialist podiatrist , two psychologists and three psychiatrists ; as
Gleneagles Team
diabetes distress is a known complication of diabetes ,” Dr Saiful B Kassim explained .
“ We work hand in glove with our colleagues in joint clinics with over 15 orthopaedic surgeons ( catering for diabetes foot ulcers and infections ), 10 cardiologists ( for cardiovascular issues ) and five ophthalmologists for diabetic eye disease as well as two nephrologists for diabetic kidney disease ,” he added .
COVID-19 did alter the way Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur conducted consultations and during the Movement Control Order period the hospital provided more free consultations by email , telephone as well as virtual consultations via e-health ; allowing patients to maintain communication with their healthcare provider even during a global pandemic .
“ Over the past year , our Diabetes Care Centre worked with patients to keep them informed on new technologies including insulin pump therapy and ‘ Freestyle Libre ’ - a continuous glucose monitoring system where patients are able to monitor their blood sugar continuously without needles . This has improved awareness , allowing for
more control of the patients ’ diabetes which in turn improved patient outcomes and care ,” said Dr Saiful Bahari Kassim .
“ We are delighted to be recognised for our work in diabetes management and to share in the recognition and achievement of inspiring and dedicated people . It is humbling to work in such a dynamic and symbiotic team ,” he added .
The hospital stays abreast with new developments in this field by attending international courses online , having access to secured databases and updating local guidelines for management of diabetes emergencies . A further source of pride has been the quality improvement projects initiated for diabetic patients as one of the projects achieved its target of ensuring at least 80 percent of inpatients achieved 70 percent of recommended energy intake within five days of enteral nutrition initiation .
40 NOVEMBER 2021 GlobalHealthAsiaPacific . com