The Hospital Management of Hypoglycaemia in Adults with Diabetes Mellitus
The Hospital Management of Hypoglycaemia in Adults with Diabetes Mellitus - Joint British Diabetes Societies - Inpatient Care Group (JBDS-IP)
Hypoglycaemia continues to be one of the most feared short-term complications of diabetes mellitus amongst people with diabetes, healthcare professionals and lay carers alike. Despite advances in therapeutics and technology, for people receiving insulin or sulfonylurea therapy as treatment for their diabetes, evidence would suggest that achieving good glycaemic control while avoiding hypoglycaemia remains very difficult. Intercurrent illness and the hospital setting compounds this situation, with often disrupted access to medications, meals and snacks compared with the home environment.
Often people with diabetes are admitted to hospital with an issue unrelated to their diabetes. They can be under the care of many different medical or surgical specialties; this can result in them being treated by staff without specialist diabetes knowledge.
In response to these issues this guideline was produced by the Joint British Diabetes Societies (JBDS) for Inpatient Care to offer clear guidance for the effective management of hypoglycaemia in hospital. It appears clear that Trusts in England have welcomed this with over 90% reporting that they use it to guide hypoglycaemia management within their hospital(s).