In‐patient management of diabetes mellitus and patient satisfaction

AbstractAims To devise a system for assessing in‐patient glycaemic control and care satisfaction in diabetic patients admitted to hospital for reasons other than their diabetes.Methods Consecutive January to March 2001 case‐notes were reviewed. Admissions with acute metabolic complications, acute myocardial infarction and pregestational or gestational diabetes were excluded. Glycaemic control, frequency of blood monitoring and management of hyperglycaemia were recorded. The diabetes treatment satisfaction questionnaire was used to assess preadmission satisfaction with care. Post‐admission a 12‐stem questionnaire was used to assess satisfaction with in‐patient diabetes management.Results Hypoglycaemia was common. Although none developed a hyperglycaemic emergency, high blood glucose was prevalent and, frequently, persistent hyperglycaemia or recurrent hypoglycaemia was not acted on appropriately. The overall score for in‐patient satisfaction with treatment was fair (4.1 ± 1.8 on a six‐point scale; 6 = very satisfied and 1 = very dissatisfied). Scores were higher among patients on surgical wards than on medical wards (P = 0.008), but satisfaction did not vary when patients were strat