Chronic Care Management is medical care that is specifically for the care and treatment of long-term illnesses. This care is designed as a holistic approach, treating not only your physical well-being but also your mental health.
Examples of illnesses appropriate for chronic care management include diabetes, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, obesity, and depression.
The main goal of the program is to, as a team, help you live a longer and healthier life. Your team involves your primary care provider, nursing staff, pharmacy, and other hospital staff (including diabetes educator, dietitian, respiratory therapist, physical therapist, etc.).
Your Chronic Care Coordinator will answer any questions you have and work with your healthcare team to provide you with recommendations to help you lead a healthy life.
If you have questions, call (608) 342-4837. When you call, please ask for the Chronic Care Coordinator so you can speak directly with them.
If you go to the Emergency Room or are admitted to the hospital, you should tell the provider that you are part of the Chronic Care Management Program.
There are many complications that can occur with any chronic medical condition. Being aware and identifying these complications at the time they occur will help you recover more quickly.
Your healthcare team has identified the following complications as those that can be treated the next business day:
- Skin complications
- bacterial infections- hot, swollen, red, and painful tissue
- fungal infections- athlete’s foot, ringworm, itching in the genital area
- allergic reactions to medications- rashes, bumps at the injection site of insulin
- eye complications
- neuropathy- numbness and/or tingling of your fingers and/or toes
- high blood pressure
- foot complications (ulcers, poor circulation)
- depression
- heart disease
- gastroparesis- delay in food emptying from stomach
If you experience any of the following, contact your primary care provider immediately or go to the emergency room if outside of regular business hours:
- Thirst or very dry mouth
- Frequent urination
- High blood glucose levels
- Nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Fruity odor on breath
- Difficulty focusing, confusion
- Stroke symptoms (drooping of side of face, loss of feeling/strength in one side of face)
- Heart attack symptoms (chest pain with arm pain and/or numbness and sweating, heartburn not relieved by treatments, shortness of breath with normal activity)