Easy Read

United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust

Diabetic medicine

Diabetes is one of the common long term conditions for all populations and age groups. It is estimated that diabetes accounts for between 5% and 10% of hospital costs and that one in every 10 hospital beds are occupied by patients who have diabetes. The average length of stay for a patient with diabetes is double that of a patient without diabetes.

Diabetes UK (http://www.diabetes.org.uk/) have produced standards for the care of someone with diabetes. These are called What Care to Expect in hospital and are as follows:

Patients should:

• Receive a full explanation of their treatment and have the opportunity to discuss any particular worries
• Inform the ward team of their usual dietary requirements and any oral medication or insulin they have. Patients should bring their supplies and equipment with them. If they are removed for safe keeping, they should be returned to the patient before discharge
• If patients are under the care of the hospital diabetes clinic the clinic should be informed of the patient’s admission
• If appropriate patients should have access to members of the Diabetes Care Team
• Continue to manage aspects of their diabetes care, e.g self injection, however it is appropriate to make sure they are safe to do so.
• Have an explanation regarding sliding scale insulin if this is required during their stay or if they require subcutaneous insulin therapy this should be discussed with them first
• Not have their capillary blood glucose taken to excess
• Have an assessment of hypoglycaemia warnings and bring their preferred treatment into hospital with them. This information should be recorded in their nursing/medical records