patient outcomes from the inside out. The Diabetes Super User Program, launched in May 2025,
was born from a need to improve glycemic control metrics and enhance patient support on the fifth floor Critical Care and Progressive Care Units.
A New Model for Education
Instead of relying on a single educator, the program multiplies its impact by training a dedicated
team of nurses. These “super users” are passionate volunteers who receive specialized, hands-on
training to become go-to experts on their units.
The program is led by Hillary Chase, a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES)
with a decade of experience. Recognizing the urgency, Chase developed a dynamic curriculum
tailored to the hospital’s specific needs. “It’s kind of multiplying me,” she explains. “The more people
that have more thorough knowledge and competence in educating our diabetic patients, the more
patients we will be able to touch as an organization.”
Building Expertise from the Ground Up
The training is intensive and practical. Five super users have completed the initial phase, which
included two eight-hour days of immersive learning. The curriculum covers:
Real-time Patient Education: Observing and then leading patient education sessions on the
floor to identify and fill knowledge gaps.
Hospital Policy Mastery: Reviewing key hospital policies, such as those for insulin pumps, so
super users can serve as a reliable resource for their colleagues.
Data-Driven Insights: Learning to interpret glycemic control metrics to understand hospital-wide
performance on hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.
The goal is to equip nurses with the confidence and skills to support patients at every stage of their
journey, whether they are newly diagnosed or need a fresh start on managing their long-term
condition. As Chase notes, sometimes patients just need “that reminder… that encouragement… that
fresh start.”
A Multi-Faceted Approach to Learning
The program recognizes that knowledge is power for both staff and patients. Super users are trained
to utilize a wide range of resources to accommodate different learning styles. These include the
comprehensive Diabetes Education Guidebook, updated for health literacy, and the ViewMedica
educational videos available on in-room TVs and via QR codes for at-home viewing.
“I wanted to make sure that every super user knows all of our resources that we have available,”
says Chase. “The goal is… that every diabetic patient in our hospital leaves with at least the
Diabetes Education Guidebook.”
Looking Ahead: A Future of Better Outcomes
With the first group of super users now active, the program is moving into its next phase. The focus
will be on gathering feedback, providing ongoing support, and measuring the program’s impact on
glycemic control and patient length of stay.
The ultimate vision is clear: to ensure no diabetic patient leaves the hospital without receiving vital
information to manage their health. This initiative isn’t just about education; it’s about empowering
our nurses to create a healthier future for our community, one patient at a time.
