Diabetes To Go: An Inpatient Diabetes Survival Skills Education Program

Diabetes To Go: A Pilot Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy Evaluation of an Inpatient Diabetes Self-management Survival Skills Education Program

A learner-centered diabetes survival skills self-management education program was provided to adults with uncontrolled diabetes in the hospital and generated preliminary evidence of impact on medication adherence and a trend toward reduction in hospital and emergency department admissions.

This study was a prospective, nonrandomized pilot study conducted among adults with uncontrolled diabetes admitted to the Medicine Service of an urban tertiary teaching hospital were consented to participate in a pilot study which provided diabetes survival skills education. Based on knowledge deficits identified on a diabetes knowledge pre-test the patient was directed to view video content corresponding to those deficiencies and content on sick days and diabetes complications. Evaluation measures were diabetes knowledge, medication adherence, and hospital admissions plus emergency department visits at and/or 3months before baseline and at 2 weeks and 3 months post-discharge. There was improvement in diabetes knowledge and medication adherence, which was sustained to 3 months. A trend was observed toward reduction in emergency department and/or hospital admissions from 3 months pre-intervention to 3 months post-discharge for uncontrolled diabetes. This knowledge-based program successfully provided survival skills education to hospital patients with uncontrolled diabetes and demonstrated preliminary evidence of a positive impact on medication adherence and a trend toward reduction in hospital and emergency department admissions.

Diabetes survival skills self-management education (DSME) program content was aligned with American Diabetes Association and Joint Commission suggested key areas for hospital diabetes education. Content areas were as follows: when and how to take diabetes medications; glycemic goals and self-blood glucose monitoring; definition, prevention, recognition, and treatment of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia; what to do before you see the dietitian; sick day management; and when to call the doctor or go to the ED. Program content was created for delivery via either DVD or print format.

1-group, pre-test/post-test design feasibility and preliminary efficacy evaluation of diabetes survival skills self-management education delivered at the hospital bedside.

11-item diabetes knowledge survey administered pre- and post- education intervention during the same hospital stay. Baseline score and post intervention score obtained within a 24 hour period

Baseline score obtained before receiving the education intervention. Post test score obtained immediately after the education intervention was completed during the hospital stay, usually within 24 hours or less from the baseline score

Inclusion Criteria: English speaking with a diabetes mellitus diagnosis (ICD 9 codes 250.xx) an admitting blood glucose level of > 200 mg/dL or ≤ 40 mg/dL, and an anticipated hospital stay of ≥ 2 days, as estimated by the medical staff, to allow sufficient time for delivery of program content Exclusion Criteria: pregnancy admission to an intensive care unit, and any medical condition or cognitive dysfunction that, in the opinion of the investigator, would preclude active participation

Magee MF, Khan NH, Desale S, Nassar CM. Diabetes to Go: Knowledge- and Competency-Based Hospital Survival Skills Diabetes Education Program Improves Postdischarge Medication Adherence. Diabetes Educ. 2014 May;40(3):344-350. doi: 10.1177/0145721714523684. Epub 2014 Feb 20.