On admission to hospital, either for a planned procedure, or in an emergency, it is important to send a list of the current medication with the person, and the medication itself, in the original packaging and appropriately labelled.
This is because hospitals do not stock every medication and it can sometimes take two to three days to get supplies of the less common medications.
A transfer letter is important and the care plan can fulfil this requirement.
Information about your hospital stay
Information should be provided in an appropriate format for you.
Where required a translator should be arranged. In addition to the information provided during assessment and care planning you should have information about:
- Which professionals you are likely to access
- If you are having an operation/procedure, information about the care processes before, during and after the procedure.
Access to the diabetes team
- You can request to access a member of the diabetes team. A request should result in a referral.
Managing diabetes care whilst in hospital
All doctors, nurses and other staff (for example physiotherapists or occupational therapists), should have a basic understanding of diabetes and its everyday management. However, unless it is a diabetes specialist ward, the staff are unlikely to be experts.
If you wish to manage your diabetes care, then you should be supported and allowed to do so, unless in a particular case, this has been assessed, for good reasons, as impractical or dangerous.
You should have access to your own medication, equipment including blood glucose monitoring equipment, and a bedside locker for storage. If you are admitted unexpectedly and you prefer to use your own diabetes equipment and snacks you could ask a friend/carer/ relative to bring them in for you.
Reviewed March 2010
Next review September 2011