Diabetes care in rest homes in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Full Abstract

AIM:
To determine the prevalence and describe the management of known diabetes in a group of New Zealand rest homes.

METHODS:
A random sample of 54 rest homes in Christchurch were studied. Residents with known diabetes were identified by rest home staff and interviewed. Selected staff members of all rest homes were also interviewed using structured questionnaires. The medical and nursing records and laboratory results of all residents with known diabetes were reviewed and all information pertaining to diabetes management recorded.

RESULTS:
The prevalence of known diabetes in Christchurch rest homes was 11.7%. Residents with known diabetes had a mean of five other comorbidities and were prescribed a mean of 7.5 medications. Of residents with diabetes, 45% were taking oral glucose-lowering agents, 28% were on a diet alone and 27% on insulin treatment. The mean blood pressure was 134/73 mmHg. The mean HbA(1c) was 7.3%. Routine blood glucose monitoring was performed often but residents with possible hypoglycaemic episodes frequently did not have their blood glucose level checked.

CONCLUSIONS:
The prevalence of known diabetes in Christchurch rest homes is similar to that found in British studies but less than that found in studies from the USA. Indicators of quality of care in residents with diabetes in this study appeared to be satisfactory, in contrast to other studies. There was poor recognition by staff of the necessity of checking acutely blood glucose levels in residents with diabetes who became unwell.

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Author information

Author/s: Gill, E A (EA); Corwin, P A (PA); Mangin, D A (DA); Sutherland, M G (MG);

Affiliation: Department of Public Health and General Practice, Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Multicenter Study; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Diabetic medicine : a journal of the British Diabetic Association (Diabet Med), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-Nov; vol 23 (issue 11) : pp 1252-6

Dates: Created 2006/10/23; Completed 2007/05/21;

PMID: 17054604, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Diabetes Mellitus - therapy
Female
Homes for the Aged - standards; statistics & numerical data
Humans

Male
New Zealand
Nursing Homes - standards; statistics & numerical data
Patient Acceptance of Health Care - statistics & numerical data
Quality of Health Care - statistics & numerical data
Treatment Outcome

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