Modern management focuses on thorough preoperative assessment, diabetes optimization
MONDAY, Oct. 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) — New guidelines have been developed for the perioperative management of surgical patients with diabetes. The guidelines were published online Sept. 29 in Anesthesia.
Paul Barker, M.B.B.S., of the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland, and colleagues developed guidelines to improve the safety and outcome of patients with diabetes undergoing surgical procedures.
The authors note that modern management of surgical patients with diabetes focuses on thorough preoperative assessment and diabetes optimization; determining whether the patient can be managed by simple manipulation of pre-existing treatment during a short starvation period; and safe use of a variable-rate intravenous insulin infusion when necessary (e.g., in emergency patients, in patients not expected to return to a normal diet immediately after surgery, and in patients with poorly controlled diabetes.) At all times, communication among health care professionals and between them and patients must be accurate and well informed.
“The purpose of this guideline is to provide detailed guidance on the perioperative management of the surgical patient with diabetes that is specific to anesthetists and to ensure that all current national guidance is concordant,” the authors write.
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