Medical Professionals Struggle to Manage and Treat Diabetes Mellitus at Mayo Clinic Arizona Despite Clinical Significance of Hyperglycemia

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By: Saparja Nag  Nov. 15, 2017

Diabetes mellitus is a common pancreatic disease that negatively affects the way the body metabolizes and utilizes energy from food via insulin. There are two types: Type I and Type II. Type I is a condition in which the pancreas produces little to no insulin. A lack of insulin makes it difficult for the body to break down glucose into usable energy. This type is common in younger patients and accounts for roughly 10% of all diabetics. Patients diagnosed with Type II diabetes produce insulin but the insulin does not function as it should. This variation occurs more often in people over 40 and in those who are overweight, affecting about 90% of diabetics.1

A literature review by medical professionals at Mayo Clinic Arizona examined discharge data on diabetes patients. They sought to determine techniques used to transition diabetes patients from inpatient care to outpatient care at Mayo Clinic Arizona. They defined an effective hyperglycermia discharge as one where the patient has been given a clear postdischarge care plan by the outpatient healthcare team. In addition, the healthcare team must properly train the patient to follow the instructions that have been clearly documented. They identified a number of key strategies that led to better patient outcomes including early patient identification, proper education for patients, clinical pathway implementation, clear instructions for medications, and explicit postdischarge follow-up guidelines.2

The second study investigated electronic health records from Mayo Clinic Arizona in order to understand how medical professionals care for and treat diabetic patients. In particular, they focused on noncritical patients such as those who were not hospitalized in intensive or intermediate care units and those who stayed for less 3 days. Through a survey of resident physicians and mid-level practitioners, they found that most health practitioners were aware that hyperglycemia and diabetes were important to the overall health of patients but they were not entirely familiar with the most effective treatment regimens. In order to address this issue, hospital administrators must implement education and quality-improvement programs to encourage proper inpatient glucose control.3

References:

  1. “Diabetes Mellitus: An Overview.” Cleveland Clinic. May 2017. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/diabetes-mellitus-an-overview

  2. Cook CB, Seifert KM, Hull BP, et al. “Inpatient to outpatient transfer of diabetes care: planning for an effective hospital discharge.” Endocrine Practice. April 2009; 15(3): 263-269. DOI: 10.4158/EP.15.3.263

  3. Cook CB, Zimmerman RS, Gauthier SM, et al. “Understanding and improving management of inpatient diabetes mellitus: the Mayo Clinic Arizona experience.” Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology. Nov 2008; 2(6): 925-931. DOI: 10.1177/193229680800200602

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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Saparja Nag

Saparja is a healthcare journalist with a particular interest in how medicine can and should affect health policy. She has extensive experience as a health educator and research scientist in biochemistry. She also enjoys running, cooking elaborate meals, and then eating elaborate meals. Saparja received a Bachelors of Arts in Biochemistry from Vassar College.