Diabetes in the Emergency Department and Hospital: Acute Care of Diabetes Patients

Abstract

Diabetes is a common condition, afflicting more than 20% of the American population over the age of 60 years 1 . Patients with diabetes, particularly those with lower socioeconomic status or limited access to primary care, frequently seek care in hospital emergency departments 2,3 . Emergency Medicine Physicians and Hospitalists should coordinate care to improve glycemic control while maintaining safety. This may help to overcome clinical inertia and improve long term clinical outcomes for patients who seek acute medical care for diabetes.