In Alberta, 35-40% of the patients each year who have surgery have high blood sugars after surgery. Of these, 20% have diabetes, 10% do not have a diagnosis of diabetes, and 5-10% may have undiagnosed diabetes.
High blood sugar a¬fter surgery is associated with worse patient outcomes – including longer hospital stay, more surgical site infections, and even higher mortality.
To support all patients requiring surgery in Alberta hospitals at risk for hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), the DON and Surgery SCNs are collaborating on a PRIHS-funded research project that aims to
The goal is to implement a standardized care pathway that enables patient screening for diabetes before surgery, helps manage patients at greatest risk of high blood sugar following surgery and treating high blood sugar when it happens.
