Inpatient Diabetes Care
Our goal for your diabetes management during hospitalization is to maintain blood glucose levels as close to the 100mg/dL – 180mg/dL range as possible. Best Practice Guidelines recommend controlling peak blood glucose levels to under 180 mg/dL. Higher than normal blood glucose, or hyperglycemia, is a risk and can complicate other illnesses.
We will control blood glucose levels by:
Stopping your oral diabetes medications while you are in the hospital
Using insulin to lower elevated blood glucose levels
Monitoring your blood glucose frequently throughout the day
Limiting the number of servings of carbohydrate foods at meals
You will be asked to:
Call your nurse or patient care assistant if at any time you feel shaky or sweaty (or other symptoms of hypoglycemia).
Let your nurse know when you are going to eat a meal so your blood sugar can be checked and insulin can be given to you at the right time.
At discharge, follow through on obtaining and taking any new diabetes medications to promote recovery and avoid readmission to the hospital.
Your admitting physician or hospitalist may consult an Endocrinologist to assist in managing your diabetes care during your hospitalization.
For diabetes education and support, Nurse Diabetes Educators and Registered Dietitians are available to meet with you and your family while you are in the hospital, and can assist you with scheduling further education on an outpatient basis.