An Effective Diabetic Ketoacidosis Prevention Intervention in Children With Type 1 Diabetes. (November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vitale, Rebecca J.; Card, Casey E.; Lichtman, Judith H.; Weyman, Kate; Michaud, Camille; Sikes, Kristin; Tamborlane, William V.; Weinzimer, Stuart A.
• Is Part Of: SAGE open nursing. Volume 4(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-11
• Subjects: children -- chronic illnesses -- diabetes -- endocrinology -- health education -- occupational health and safety programs -- practice -- workforce; Nursing -- Periodicals; 610.7305
• DOI: 10.1177/2377960818804742
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2377-9608

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a brief, office-based educational intervention to increase parent or patient recognition of the early warning signs and symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Forty-two patients aged > 13 years and 34 parents of children aged ≤ 13 years were given a pretest questionnaire about their knowledge of signs and symptoms of DKA and sick day management practices. They received a brief refresher course on sick day management specific to their treatment modality (pump vs. injection) and were given a take-home flow sheet of guidelines for diabetes sick day management. Subjects were retested with the same knowledge questionnaire after 6 to 12 months. Patients or parents scored higher on the posttest than the pretest and called the emergency line for assistance more frequently ( p = .032) following the intervention. Emergency department visits were significantly reduced in adolescents ( p = .024). A short educational intervention and printed management tool is effective in improving sick day and DKA knowledge and appears to be effective in reducing emergency department visits by increasing utilization of a diabetes emergency line for early outpatient intervention.