The Alberta First Nations Program to Screen for Limbs, Eyes, Cardiovascular and Kidney Complications of Diabetes Using Mobile Clinics (SLICK) - Update

July 2009

SLICK is a mobile program offered by Health Canada's First Nations and Inuit Health Branch to people with diabetes in 43 First Nations Communities across Alberta. Its purpose is to provide access to diabetes care and education for First Nations Communities on-site in their community's health centre. SLICK works to identify diabetes complications through screening using portable laboratory equipment. The team of trained health care providers offer education and client empowerment, working towards improved client follow-up care and self care, and implementation of the Canadian Diabetes Association Clinical Practice Guidelines.

Diabetes is a chronic disease that can cause complications affecting both large and small blood vessels in the body. These complications can result in problems with feet, eyes, heart and kidney SLICK aims to achieve better outcomes for people with diabetes by working to prevent these complications and screening to discover them at the earliest possible stage.

The SLICK team is comprised of retinal photographers, registered nurses and registered dietitians. Each SLICK visit provides clients with:

• Blood pressure reading
• Height, weight and waist circumference measurement
• Foot assessment
• Urine test to assess kidney function
• Blood test to assess blood sugar control and cholesterol levels
• Retinal photographs to assess for diabetic retinopathy (Eye disease)

The blood tests are done by a simple "finger poke" and results are available in about 15 minutes. A SLICK Nurse or Dietitian reviews the results with the client. On client consent, results are shared with the health centre care provider and the client's physician. Clients are referred for additional treatments as needed.

SLICK began in 2001 as a joint pilot project between Health Canada and the University of Alberta. Supported by Health Canada medical advisors and IT staff, SLICK has grown into a full-fledged First Nations and Inuit Health program, and now supports more than 1300 clients per year. As SLICK continues to evolve it is moving toward a network model of care. SLICK is beginning to equip and support community-based screeners across the province, in hopes of improving access to complications screening and follow-up care.

For additional Information, please contact: ALB_SLICK_TEAMLEAD@hc-sc.gc.ca