What to Expect During Your Hospital Stay
The way your diabetes is managed at home may be very different from how it is managed in the hospital. One good example is the use of regular insulin given by IV, rather than the other types available. Most doctors, especially in the time immediately surrounding surgery, will not want oral medications or long acting types of insulin to be given. Regular insulin works within a short time, allowing the staff to have a much better idea of your glucose level. This allows them to treat elevated levels, or low levels immediately. In some cases, blood glucose testing will be done as frequently as every two hours, with medication coverage provided as needed.
Your glucose level may be maintained in a much narrower window during your hospital stay. This is because studies have shown that the better controlled blood glucose levels are, the faster the healing. If you are going to have meals during your stay at the hospital you can expect to receive diabetic meals, which are designed specifically for diabetics by the nutrition staff.
If you are having outpatient surgery, or have to report for your surgery that morning, consider bringing along your glucose meter. If the surgery is delayed for any reason, you will be able to test your glucose level as needed and notify staff as appropriate.
