Survey of junior doctors' knowledge of the use of new guidelines in the management of diabetic ketoacidosis in adults

Abstract

AbstractDiabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a common medical emergency. In recent years a weight‐based, fixed‐rate intravenous insulin infusion regimen has replaced the conventional sliding scale regimen for effective management of DKA. These guidelines have come into effect from 2012 at a hospital in south east Wales.A survey was conducted to assess the junior doctors' (medical and surgical) knowledge of these guidelines as per trust protocol. The results of this survey clearly show that a significant number of doctors (35% of medical and 63% of surgical doctors) were not aware of these guidelines; 15% of medical and 22% of surgical doctors were not aware of the criteria for the diagnosis of DKA. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons. Practical Diabetes 2014; 31(2): 81–83