Sugar Babies: High Risk OB Diabetes Resource Team to the Rescue!
Title: Sugar Babies: High Risk OB Diabetes Resource Team to the Rescue!
- Explain three barriers of the management of diabetic obstetrical patients.
- List two evidence-based patient education teaching methods utilized by staff in the care and education of pregnant diabetic patients.
- Discuss two challenges and two successes identified by the diabetic resource team which improved the management of OB diabetic patients while increasing staff nurse’s knowledge and confidence.
The average amount of patients with diabetes in the hospital setting on any given day averages from 26-30% of the population (Braithwaite et al, 2008). In a high risk OB level three tertiary medical center, there is a high population of pregnant patients with diabetes. A team of registered nurses was formed to strengthen the knowledge base of staff, support the care process, and provide safe, optimal care of the diabetic patient population on Women and Infant Services (WIS).
Proposed change:
After conducting a needs assessment in the department, team members of staff with a special interest in care of the female patient with diabetes was formed. Advanced education sessions were provided to the team members quarterly with primary focus on standardizing best practice in the women’s health and pregnant population. Members then chose education topics per year to train fellow staff and collaborated with the healthcare providers to assure best outcomes for the patient population with diabetes and pregnancy.
Implementation, outcomes and evaluation:
Business plan purposed to WIS Leadership. Charter was written to establish the OB Diabetic Resource Team. Members were recruited from staff, quarterly meetings were scheduled. Results indicate this team filled a need for diabetes management support through providing increased staff coaching and patient education; ultimately improving staff knowledge and confidence in care of the patient with diabetes. Validation of increased staff knowledge and confidence was tracked with coaching and patient education sessions. Average number of staff coached per month by the Sugar-babies team is 19, average patient education sessions per month is 13. Topics included treatment of patient with hypoglycemia, carbohydrate counting, proper use of insulin pumps, insulin timing, action, and administration. Prior to this program, there were no unit specific diabetes education resource team available to staff. Continued success are recognized daily by patients, staff and physicians.
Implications for nursing practice:
With the establishment of a unit based Diabetic Resource Team all shifts are covered with a knowledgeable diabetic resource person. This has greatly impacted night shift staff since they experience limited diabetic resources. With the increasing number of pregnant diabetic patients as well as increased use of insulin pumps and the different insulin regiments, the bedside nurse now has the tools to provide evidence best practice managing the challenges with providing care for these patients.
Keywords:
Diabetic Resource Team, Insulin Management, Diabetic Teaching