Diagnóstico y manejo de la hipoglicemia en adultos diabéticos hospitalizados: evaluación de competencias en un equipo profesional multidisciplinario de salud / Competences on hypoglycemia management among healthcare professionals in a clinical hospital

ABSTRACT

Background: A tight glycemic control of hospitalized patients increases the risk of hypoglycemia, whose management is not always optimal. Aim: To assess the hypoglycemia management competences of a multidisciplinary team in a clinical hospital. Material and Methods: An anonymous questionnaire about hypoglycemia management was answered by 11 staff physicians, 42 residents and 28 nurses of the department of medicine and critical care unit ofa university hospital. Results: Respondents had a mean of 60 percent of correct answers, without significant differences between groups. The capillary blood glucose level that defines hypoglycemia was known by most of the respondents, but the value that defines severe episodes was known only by 60 percent. The initial management and follow up was well known only for severe episodes. Less than 50 percento knew the blood glucose value that required continuing with treatment. Conclusions: Although most professionals are able to recognize hypoglycemia, the knowledge about is management if insufficient.