Achieving your blood glucose target

Blood glucose target 

This program is available to the RMH patients who have either:

• Started using insulin
• Undergone a change in the type of insulin used
• Are undergoing steroid or oncology treatment which may affect blood glucose levels. 

The goal of the program is to assist people with diabetes in achieving a desired blood glucose target. You need a referral from an RMH Endocrinology staff member to enrol in the program.

Details

• Patients must perform a specified number of blood glucose tests. The diabetes Clinical Nurse Consultants (CNC) ensures the patients have the necessary equipment and are competent to use it
• Patients must call the diabetes education service weekly on a specified day and time. The diabetes CNC determines if more frequent contact is required in specific circumstances (for example, illness)
• Program duration is 6 weeks
• Patients skills and competence is continually assessed 
• Patients who do not reach targets during the program are referred back to the referring doctor
• GPs are sent a letter when their patient starts and successfully completes the stabilisation process
• Discharge from the program is documented in their medical record and electronic diabetes survey

Eligibility

The program is available to RMH patients who have either:

• Newly commenced on insulin therapy
• Undergone a change in their insulin regimen
• Concurrent steroid or oncology treatment affecting glycaemia

Eligible patients must also either:

• Be admitted under the Diabetes and Endocrinology service or Diabetic Foot Unit
• Had a consultation by the RMH endocrinology team during their hospital presentation
• Attend one of the diabetes or endocrine clinics at the RMH

Documented assessment of the patient’s ability to demonstrate various skills and knowledge is a pre-requisite for enrolment in the program.

Individuals receiving RDNS for insulin management cannot be referred for this service (RDNS require an order written by a medical officer).