The effects of attempting to limit plasma glucose estimation in a busy diabetic clinic

✍ Scribed by Thomas, D J B ;Hounslow, M ;Smallman, K ;Howell, M

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1990
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 433 KB
• Volume: 7
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1357-8170
• DOI: 10.1002/pdi.1960070309

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

We have studied the effect of limiting plasma glucose estimations in a busy diabetic clinic. Forty nine patients recorded their time of arrival, the time they saw the doctor, and the time they left the diabetic clinic, before and after the implementation of a plasma glucose policy. At the first visit all patients had a plasma glucose estimation. This was repeated at the second attendance in 24 (48%) patients. The remaining patients had glycosylated haemoglobin and home blood monitoring results available. The mean waiting times to see the doctor and the time spent at the clinic at the second visit were reduced (p < 0.02 and p < 0.01 respectively). A retrospective case‐note survey identified 10 treatment changes during the study period but only two patients had had clinic plasma glucose estimations. In contrast five high clinic plasma glucose results (> 12 mmol/l) did not alter patient management. We conclude that the traditional diabetic clinic blood test delays the clinic and rarely contributes to patient management.