Balancing Blood Sugar Management in Nursing Homes

Balancing Blood Sugar Management in Nursing Homes

A recent study of VA nursing home residents with diabetes found that nearly two-thirds of patients who experienced hypoglycemia also had hyperglycemia during their first week in care.

Frequent blood sugar checks help prevent severe medical emergencies, but they can also feel burdensome for patients. Researchers suggest exploring approaches like basal insulin, which helps patients maintain safe ranges with less negative impact.

“Future studies should examine the effectiveness of responding to hyperglycemia with basal insulin rather than bolus insulin to see if it can decrease subsequent hypoglycemia without worsening hyperglycemia or other clinical outcomes.”

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