Variation in the Current Use of Technology to Support Diabetes Management in UK Hospitals: Results of a Survey of Health Care Professionals.

Abstract

There has been a significant increase in the use of wearable diabetes technologies in the outpatient setting over recent years, but this has not consistently translated into inpatient use. An online survey was undertaken to understand the current use of technology to support inpatient diabetes care in the United Kingdom. Responses were received from 42 different organizations representing 104 hospitals across the United Kingdom. Significant variation was found between organizations in the use of technology to support safe, effective inpatient diabetes care. Benefits of the use of technology were reported, and areas of good practice identified. Technology supports good inpatient diabetes care, but there is currently variation in its use. Guidance has been developed which should drive improvements in the use of technology and hence improvements in the safety and effectiveness of inpatient diabetes care. Key recommendations include implementation of this guidance (especially for continuous glucose monitoring), ensuring specialist support is available for the use of wearable diabetes technology in hospital, optimizing information sharing across the health care system, and making full use of data from networked glucose and ketone meters.