Carefully managing people with diabetes during hospitalization can reduce the risk of hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, or extreme glucose variability, which all lead to adverse outcomes, including death. Consult with a specialized diabetes or glucose management team when possible.

  • Institute validated order sets for management of dysglycemia in the hospital.

  • State the type of diabetes on the initial evaluation when it is known.

  • Perform an A1C test on all hospitalized people with diabetes or hyperglycemia (random blood glucose >140 mg/dL [7.8 mmol/L]) if no A1C result is available from the prior 3 months.

  • Assess diabetes self-management knowledge and behaviors on admission and provide self-management education, if available, when needed.

Tailor a structured discharge plan to the individual with diabetes:

  • Provide diabetes self-management education before discharge.

  • Ensure medication reconciliation and access.

  • Arrange virtual or in-person follow-up visits post- discharge:

  • » Schedule a visit with the primary care clinician, endocrinologist, or diabetes specialist within 1 month of discharge.

  • » Schedule earlier follow-up (1–2 weeks) if medications change or glucose targets not met at discharge.

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