Transitions of Care: Diabetes

Course overview

Diabetes has now reached pandemic proportions. Hospitalization expenditures for the disease have been quoted at $176 billion annually (Enomoto. Shrestha, Rosenthal, Hollenbeak & Gabby, 2017). The prevalence of diabetes increases with age, reaching 25.2% in those 65 and older (American Diabetes Association, 2015). Elders living in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) are at an increased risk of developing acute and chronic complications related to diabetes. Comorbidities affect and are affected by diabetes, rendering it a complex problem in which nurses will need to personalize residents' care and establish achievable goals to prevent complications that lead to readmission. Due to the significant disease burden, this course will provide nurses with an overview of pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, general diabetic management and care, assessment for the development of complications, and interventions nurses can provide to prevent readmissions.