Q&A: Case management tips for diabetic patients

Q: Our facility sees a lot of patients dealing with diabetes and diabetic complications. Do you have any advice for helping these patients during their stay or after discharge?

A: Comprehensive strategies to help improve care for patients with diabetes can include numerous strategies.

These include the following:

• Implementing a formalized process to ensure post-discharge calls are made. This can ensure that patients fill their prescriptions, keep their medical appointments, and monitor whether services that were in the hospital discharge plan have been ordered and set up.
• Being aware of any community case management services in your area. Develop a relationship with case managers across the continuum, to maintain your network and knowledge of what services and programs are available.
• Staying abreast of the latest clinical guidelines. The American Diabetes Association recently updated its standards of care. Information is available through. www.diabetes.org/diabetescare
• Focusing on social determinants of health and how your organization can support community needs, for example, by addressing food insecurity, providing health education, and housing.

For more information, see Case Management Monthly.