Managing type 1 diabetes in hospital

Planned hospital stays

Sometimes you may know in advance that you need to go into hospital. You might need to go in for surgery, a medical procedure or specialist treatment. If this is the case:

• Let your specialist diabetes team know as soon as possible so they can advise on how best to manage your insulin and blood glucose in the lead-up to your stay.
• Before surgery, contact your specialist diabetes team to make sure that they are involved in planning your care during your surgery and recovery afterwards.
• You can ask to have a care plan in place for your admission. This should cover how your insulin will be managed, when you will be able to eat and drink, and whether you can continue to use your own diabetes technology (such as a CGM, pump or hybrid closed loop).
• Make a checklist of what to take with you, including insulin, pens or pump supplies, glucose testing equipment, hypo treatments, and backup options.

Unplanned hospital stays

Sometimes admissions cannot be planned for. In these situations:

• Tell staff immediately that you have T1D and let them know what insulin you normally take. Ask the staff to contact your diabetes specialist team to let them know that you have been admitted to hospital.
• If you use a pump or continuous glucose monitor (CGM), explain this to your care team. You may be able to continue using your technology, but in some emergency situations hospital staff will manage your insulin instead.
• If you are too unwell to advocate for yourself, hospital staff should seek advice from your specialist diabetes team about your T1D management.

What you can expect

All people with T1D in hospital should have access to a specialist diabetes team. NICE guidance recommends this from admission.

Your blood glucose and, if need be, ketone levels should be checked regularly while you are in hospital.

Staff should explain any changes to your insulin and treatment plan and involve you in decisions about your care.

You always have the right to safe access to insulin – never miss or delay a dose because of the admission processes.

Useful tips

• Always carry some diabetes essentials with you, even for planned outpatient appointments, in case you are admitted.
• Ask for clear communication about food timings, and the carbohydrate content of meals if you are carb counting.

Download a leaflet about living with T1D at older ages that includes a checklist of things to take into consideration if you need to go into hospital [coming soon]