One in five patients in hospital has diabetes, and most hospital admissions are unrelated to their diabetes. Glycemic management is important for people with diabetes—regardless of whether they are in hospital or in the community—as it helps prevent complications from both hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia.
The recommended blood glucose target in hospital is 5-10 mmol for most patients.
(Note: This level is modestly higher than the recommended target in the community.)
Our Goal
Health care teams play a key role in supporting our patients to meet their glycemic targets. The Diabetes, Obesity, and Nutrition Strategic Clinical Network (DON SCN) has been leading a provincial quality improvement initiative in collaboration with provincial pharmacy, provincial Nutrition and Food Services, Alberta Precision Lab and the Zone operational areas.
Our goal is to improve and standardize how patients with diabetes are cared for in Alberta hospitals.
This work involves a multidisciplinary approach to diabetes management with various healthcare providers working together, and with patients and families as key team members.
Several priorities are part of this work and currently underway.