Diabetes Management Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Setting

Publication Date: November 2, 2015

Key Points

Key Points

  • Multimorbidity, functional impairments, and psychosocial issues increases the complexity of diabetes management in the PA/LTC.
  • Cardiovascular mortality, functional impairment and cognitive decline increase with hyperglycemia.
  • Hypoglycemia (frequent or prolonged) can cause cognitive impairment, falls and functional impairment. Prolonged or frequent hypoglycemia can affect cognition and increase the chance of falls, seizures and stroke.
  • Cardiovascular mortality, cognitive decline, falls and functional impairment are increased in older adults with DM.

General

The management of patients with diabetes in the PA-LTC setting should be individualized and guided by functional and cognitive status, patient preference, and life expectancy ( Strong , Low )
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The medication regimen for diabetes should be verified and communicated to receiving practitioners if the patient is transferred to another site of care ( Strong , Low )
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Recognition

Patients in the PA-LTC setting should be screened for diabetes or pre-diabetes unless they are terminally ill. ( Strong , Moderate )
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Factors causing or exacerbating hyperglycemia should be sought. ( Strong , Low )
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Assessment

Patients with diabetes should be evaluated for the presence of macrovascular and microvascular complications. ( Strong , High )
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Patients with diabetes should be assessed for the presence of cognitive impairment. ( Weak , Low )
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Patients with diabetes should be assessed for the presence of depression. ( Strong , High )
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Patients with diabetes should be assessed for the presence of foot complications. ( Strong , Moderate )
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Treatment/Management

In general, patients with diabetes should be offered a regular diet. ( Strong , Low )
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In general, metformin is preferred as an initial oral medication for the treatment of diabetes in the absence of absolute or relative contraindications. ( Strong , Low )
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If treatment with insulin is required, basal insulin is the preferred initial choice if its use can achieve glycemic targets. ( Strong , Low )
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The use of sliding-scale insulin alone to control blood glucose levels should be avoided. ( Strong , Moderate )
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It is reasonable to aim for A1C targets between 7.5% and 8.5% for most patients, although higher targets may be appropriate for certain individuals. ( Strong , Moderate )
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A blood-pressure goal of less than 150/90 is recommended for most older patients with diabetes. ( Strong , High )
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Statin therapy is recommended for all older patients with diabetes who are able to tolerate it and who lack contraindications. ( Strong , High )
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Monitoring

Blood glucose patterns should be reviewed regularly to allow logical adjustment of the pharmacological regimen. ( Strong , Low )
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Patients being treated for diabetes should be monitored for the occurrence of hypoglycemia and the treatment regimen adjusted as necessary. ( Strong , Moderate )
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The facility should monitor its management of patients with diabetes by measuring and tracking selected relevant process and outcome indicators. ( Strong , Moderate )
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Recognition

...ognition...

...and Skills Needed by Interprofessional Team Membe...


...betes Present?...

...Complications Associated With Diabetes in...

...ria for a Diagnosis of Diabetesa...

...ry Values Indicating Prediabetesa...


...Screen for Possible Diabetes in Pat...


Assessment

...ssessment

...ify Factors Contributing to the Pat...


...uate the Nature and Severity of Diabet...

...Approach to Screening for Diabetes-Associa...


...5: Identify the Impact of Diabetes on the Patie...


Treatment

...atment...

...op an Individualized Care Plan and Define...


...7: Implement the Care Plan ...

...en to Use Insulin Per...


...epwise Approach to Antihyperglycemic TherapyH...


Overview of Available Oral Antidia...


...of Non-Insulin Injectable Antidiabetic Ag...


...and Their PharmacokineticsHaving t...


...tion Recommendations for Adults With DiabetesHa...


...y strongly supports pneumococcal vaccination co...


...in Regimens For Different Clinical SituationsH...


...Adjusting Insulin Therapy on the Basis of G...


...nalog Insulin Therapy (basal insu...


Combined Insulin Therapy (regular and NP...


...s and Signs of Hypoglycemia in Frail Eld...


Monitoring

...onitoring

...8: Re-evaluate the Patient Periodically...

...eassess the patient with newly dia...

...rticular attention to the following: Overa...


...9: Monitor the Patient’s Blood Gluco...

...ted Monitoring of Blood Glucose by Type of D...


STEP 10: Individualize Diabetes and...

...risk factors for developing diabetes should be...

...signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia shou...


...Monitor the Facility's Management of Di...

...tors Prevalence of hypoglycemic episodes,...

...cators Appropriate recognition...