The Kalispel Tribal Communities SDPI program is based out of the Camas Center Clinic. Its centralized location allows the ability to coordinate all aspects of diabetic care and education with patient primary care providers, pharmacy, dental, naturopathic medicine, physical therapy, and mental health. In 2018 the Kalispel Tribe’s SDPI program reviewed all the key items for the annual SDPI audit and created a diabetes education visit layout which ensures each of the key items are discussed with the patient semi-annually. From this place we can assess and meet the needs of each patient individually, and provide education, referrals, and recommendations for eye care, dental, foot care etc.
Per the SDPI Grant requirements, our program implements one new required key measure each year. Once the key measure is implemented it becomes part of the diabetic visit layout indefinitely. Our goal with this is to continue to provide care that builds on itself rather than falling into the continuous cycle of neglect and correction. We will meet each patient every 3-6 months, depending on how well their diabetes is managed, and what their needs are. Each patient receives a comprehensive diabetic visit, lab work and a primary care visit with their provider at these set 3–6-month intervals. We incorporate calls, chart alerts, and mail out reminders to minimize non-compliance of care and past due appointments.
When it comes to community outreach, our abilities are heavily dependent on funding. To participate in more community outreach opportunities, the Kalispel Tribe’s SDPI Program has teamed up with the Tribal food bank, Tribal public safety department, Community elders’ program, fitness department and the gardening department, which is based out of Washington State University, as well as the Range Clinic for eye exams, also based out of Washington State University. Community projects which incorporate nutrition include community gardens and gardening events, virtual cooking classes with delivered meal kits to all diabetics, tribal members and elders who are at risk for diabetes. The SDPI program has paired with public safety on a “Fit for Duty” program to provide nutritional counseling and fitness assessments. We participate in the community elder health fair and any other opportunity for community outreach that may present. The Range eye clinic comes out during designated times of the year to provide diabetic eye exams as well as annual eye exams.
Long term goals would be to incorporate more fitness programs and weight loss resources. We would also like to be able to provide more outreach and educational presence in the local schools to start diabetes prevention early in the lifespan. The Kalispel tribal Communities SDPI Program has one full time employee. This employee is a registered nurse who provides blood draws, foot exams, diabetes education visits, weight management and nutrition counseling, fitness classes as a certified personal trainer (schedule permitting), scheduling the eye clinics, program audits and grant writing, patient diabetes follow-up scheduling, diabetic patient care management and medication management, and overall SDPI program coordination.
The Kalispel Tribal Communities SDPI program is working each year to improve the outcomes and overall care of our diabetic population, while working to prevent diabetes in future generations. We are very thankful for the SDPI Grant and all it has enabled us to do for our community.
