I think this is the first message on this mailing list - I hope we can get it going to encourage others to join.
I would like to ask how you deal with a very practical issue namely glucose testing of patients in diabetic ketoacidosis. It has become clear to us that wards do use their glucose meters in these patients despite our advice and we feel that we will have to take more positive action. However, the reluctance to send hourly venous samples to the laboratory at any time of the night or day and having to wait for the results has to be overcome. How have you dealt with this? Are you aware of any simple guidance to ward staff about when it will be safe to start using the ward meters again? (Currently we have the manufacturers' recommendations that glucose levels over 20 mmol/l should be repeated in the lab and the clinical assessment of peripheral circulation to assist with decisions about samples / methodology).
Thank you
Marieke Jordaan
Consultant Chemical Pathologist
Pinderfields and Pontefract NHS Trust
West Yorkshire
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