Diabetes Care

The Rush Approach to Diabetes Care

In addition to top-notch medical care, Rush's highly trained diabetes care team provides education and nutrition guidance to help you effectively manage your diabetes, prevent or minimize complications and live a healthy, active life.

Education includes training on administering insulin, using an insulin pump and reading a glucometer. We also help you plan healthy meals, incorporate physical activity into your life and learn to cope with stress. The cost of the education program is covered by most insurance plans, including Medicare, with a referral from your physician.

Rush Excellence in Diabetes Care

• Recognized by the American Diabetes Association: Rush Diabetes Education Centers at Rush University Medical Center, Rush Copley Medical Center and Rush Oak Park Hospital are recognized by the American Diabetes Association for providing the quality education and care needed to help you manage your diabetes. The center at Rush Oak Park was one of the first outpatient diabetes centers in the Chicago area to be awarded this recognition and was among the first in the country and the second in the state to receive the Gold Seal of Approval from the Joint Commission and the American Diabetes Association.
• Program for children and adolescents with diabetes: Rush has a dedicated program for children and adolescents dealing with diabetes to help your child live a full and healthy life with the right medical treatments, expert disease management and lifestyle changes. This may include teaching you and your child to monitor blood sugar levels and what to do if they are too high or low, use an insulin pump or administer insulin shots, incorporate a healthy diabetes diet and exercise program into your lives, and work with the school nurse to manage diabetes at school. Rush’s multidisciplinary team cares for the whole child and addresses your child’s specific needs, challenges and lifestyle — all close to your home.
• Specialists in managing diabetes in the hospital: Illness and surgery can affect blood sugar levels. At Rush, most inpatients with diabetes have their blood sugar level monitored and treated by an endocrinology team member 24 hours a day, allowing for timely intervention if needed.
• Novel endovascular procedure for hemodialysis access: If you have end-stage renal failure and need hemodialysis, Rush offers the WavelinQ Endovascular Arteriovenous Fistula (endoAVF) Creation System. Available at Rush University Medical Center and Rush Oak Park Hospital, it is a less invasive option that makes AV fistula creation possible if you are not a candidate for an open surgical AV fistula creation.
• Transplant programs: Some people with diabetes may need a pancreas or kidney transplant. The transplant programs at Rush are comprised of a multidisciplinary team of more than 100 transplant experts who provide patient-centered care before, during and after your transplant to ensure you are comfortable and understand the transplant process. Our nurse coordinators will help guide you every step of the way.
• Expertise in stroke prevention: Diabetes can increase your risk of having a stroke. The Rush Stroke Prevention Clinic team can work with you on a prevention plan. Our experts tailor a prevention plan just for you, including ways to manage your risk factors.