Diabetes Education

The Dialysis Unit - SFMH Clinic Building

The SFMH Diaylsis Unit is a satellite unit of Renfrew Victoria Hospital. Opened in June 2001, our unit has a home-like atmosphere with comfort items that include:

• Patient waiting area
• Reading materials
• An ice machine
• Air conditioning

Each of the dialysis stations include:

• State of the art dialysis machines
• A 6 position reclining chair.
• A remote control television, V.C.R. and AM/FM cassette radio
• Privacy curtains
• Telephone
• Nurse call button

What is expected of the patient?

It is the patient's responsibility to get to and from the dialysis unit. Patients are asked to do such things as take their own weight and get themselves a drink or ice if required. Meals are not provided in the unit but can be purchased in the Staff Cafeteria.

How to access our services

Referrals to the Dialysis Clinic must be made by a physician. Appointments can be made through Renfrew Victoria Hospital, Dialysis Unit at 613-432-4851 ext. 201. Referrals to the Dialysis Unit can be made by the patient, their family, a nurse, physician or other healthcare professional by calling the RVH Hemodialysis Unit. The patient must meet the medical criteria for admission to the unit. Patients will be accepted on a "first come - first served" basis according to the date of their referral. The SFMH Dialysis Unit will also accept travelling patients who are visiting Barry's Bay and the surrounding area. For more information on those services contact the Renfrew Victoria Hospital Dialysis Unit.

The RVH Diabetes Education Team is offering educational workshops to address individuals living with prediabetes, Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.  Download the Diabetes Lifestyle Class Schedule.

What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a life-long medical condition where the body does not produce any insulin, or not enough insulin. Insulin is needed to help glucose, which is in the food we eat, to enter our body cells. This gives us the energy needed to do our daily activities.

We Believe That:
Even though diabetes is a life long condition, a person with diabetes can still live a full and healthy life.

How?
By receiving education about diabetes, you will learn to adjust your lifestyle so that you can control your diabetes - it doesn't control you!

Diabetes Education at Renfrew Victoria Hospital

You will learn:

• What is diabetes and what is hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
• Common feelings and emotions associated with diabetes.
• Healthy eating plans.
• How to monitor your blood sugar.
• Exercising with diabetes.
• Complications of diabetes and how to prevent them from starting.
• Diabetes medications.

I'm Interested - Tell Me About the Classes

• Taught by a Registered Dietitian and a Registered Nurse.
• The program consists of three 3 hour group classes, plus an individual session with both the dietitian and the nurse, plus a group follow-up class three months later.
• Group classes begin the first Wednesday of each month from 9 a.m. until 12 noon and continue for the next two Wednesdays at the same times.
• Class are held at the Renfrew Victoria Hospital, Emergency Room Classroom.

How Do I Get A Referral to Attend Classes?

• You can call and refer yourself to the program.
• You can receive a referral from your physician
• Everyone is welcome, but you do need to call to register for the classes.

Referrals will be taken by the at 613-432-4851 extension 109.

Questions?
For more information about the program, please call Donna Reid at 613-432-4851 extension 109.

What Do I Need To Bring To The First Class?

• Your glucometer or blood sugar monitoring machine.
• All of your medication, in bottles, including vitamins or herbal products.
• A pen.
• Write down everything you eat for three days prior to the first class and bring this with you.
• Yourself, plus you can bring a friend or family member who wants to learn more about diabetes as well, in order to help you to succeed.