Hypoglycaemia management in older adults: Results of an audit in an Australian hospital

Hypoglycaemia is associated with an increased mortality rate in older people with diabetes. Research has shown that hypoglycaemia in people over 70 years is associated with a two-fold increased mortality rate during hospitalisation and at 3-month follow up (Kagansky et al, 2003). A hypoglycaemic management protocol was introduced in a 300-bed metropolitan public hospital in South Australia and an audit was carried out in 2012 to assess hypoglycaemia management in older adults. This audit aimed to examine the adherence of nurses to the hypoglycaemia management protocol in the hospital and patient outcomes following a hypoglycaemic episode. This article describes the findings of this audit and discusses the implications for clinical practice.