What medical staff need to know in the event of an accident

Accidents happen unexpectedly. However, anyone living with the physical challenges of diabetes should be prepared for such events. Proper preparation and storing important information can help prevent unnecessary complications in the event of an accident.

People who have been living with type 1 diabetes for a long time usually know their insulin requirements very well and are able to manage them well even in stressful situations. However, this is often more difficult or even impossible in an accident. This makes good preparation all the more important, because in this case the medical staff must take over the control of insulin requirements spontaneously. The more precise the information provided, the better. Important data includes the basal rate, the correction factor, the unit per carbohydrate and the correction factor for sugar on the blood sugar level.

Automated therapy systems provide support

If an operation is imminent, the surgical team must determine the insulin requirements during the procedure -specifically, the necessary basal rate while the patient is on the operating table. An automated insulin delivery system will typically administer the usual basal rate. However, this might not suffice. If the body is stressed after an accident, the insulin demand could be significantly higher.

Should the operation be prolonged, doctors may try to adjust the blood sugar levels according to the correction factor provided by the patient. The goal is for the patient to exit the operating room with stable blood sugar levels. However, no guarantees can be made, as blood sugar levels can fluctuate unpredictably. An automated insulin delivery system can assist in stabilizing these fluctuations during surgery.

Trust in medical staff

If a patient loses consciousness, it is the responsibility of the medical professionals to closely monitor and promptly correct their blood sugar levels. In such situations, individuals with type 1 diabetes must rely on and trust the expertise of the medical team.