Managing Diabetes in The Hospital Setting: A Nurse–Patient Partnership

Abstract

People with diabetes occupy up to 16% of hospital beds, and diabetes treatment consumes approximately 9% of hospital costs. Therefore, the nurses working in any hospital department will care for people with diabetes who have been admitted either for reasons directly connected to their diabetes or unrelated to it. Once diagnosed, diabetes is an inextricable part of a person’s life and must be taken into consideration along with their presenting condition. This is because diabetes control can be adversely affected by illness, stress and changes in food intake and activity level. Also, healing processes and well-being are promoted by normal blood glucose levels. Whatever the circumstances of a patient’s admission or attendance, the pursuit and maintenance of good diabetes control must always be a treatment goal. People with diabetes are admitted more frequently and stay in hospital for longer than those without. Extended hospital stays are often due to the fact that their diabetes is not attended to because it was not the original reason for admission. Practical aspects of care can also delay discharge - for example, if a change in diabetes treatment is not reflected in medications the person is given to take home, causing last-minute delays. Discharge planning needs to include diabetes-related issues.

Keywords: Diabetes, illness, stress, healing processes, neuropathy

Cite this Article

Harvinder Kaur. Managing Diabetes in The Hospital Setting: A Nurse–Patient Partnership. Research & Reviews: Journal of Neuroscience. 2017; 7(1):    6–11p.