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Insulin question

S

saul1664

Newbie
Messages
2
Hi,

I have an elderly relative who has been admitted to hospital, she used to administer her own insulin but has other health concerns and has been unable to do so. When I went to go to see her I was told that she received her insulin late on the morning round, this was due to the fact that it was given late on the shift before and the nurse said that her insulin was given at around 9.45am as initially her blood sugars were high on the morning round and that is why it was not given, apparently her blood sugar was 16.7 that morning.

Also they said it wasn't ward policy to give the insulin directly with breakfast, but they tended to give the insulin during the drug round, so the morning insulin was tended to be given between 8am and 10am and not necessarily first thing.

Her insulin dose at that time was 20 units of human mixtard 30, would it have been dangerous for the nurse to give her that dose with breakfast with her blood sugar level. This dose has been changed several times under the care of the diabetic specialist nurse as her blood sugar readings are quite erratic.

Am a bit concernced as not too sure how to manage the diabetes when she returns home.

Regards

Saul
 
That sounds dreadful
She should have her insulin when she needs it. Can you contact her care team so they can have a word with the hospital?
 
Hana is quite right, that's shocking.
Your relative needs her insulin injection before she eats, NOT at the convenience of the ward staff.
If her blood glucose was elevated first thing, then it's vital she has her insulin before she eats, otherwise her bg will keep on rising.
If her dose was late the previous evening, does that mean it was also after her meal? If so, the staff need a wake-up call. You could ask to see the Registrar, that'll motivate them!

fergus
 
Hi,

Apparently it wasn't given on late shift for some reason and was given when the night shift started at about 9.45pm as I recall, so that was the reason why it was given a bit later during the morning. Will mention all this to the nursing staff.

Saul
 
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