Juvenile Diabetes: Constructing the Written Evidence - Essay Example

? Juvenile Diabetes Juvenile diabetes commonly referred to as Type diabetes is normally diagnosed in children and the young adults. It is a medical condition that should be terminated during the earliest stages as it can prove fatal if diagnosed late. It is a condition where the body fails to produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced so as to convert the sugars and starch that we take into energy that is required for our daily activities. The pancreas fail to produce this very crucial hormone, and if not nipped in the bud, the condition can lead to cardiovascular diseases. Implementing standardized screening tools and initiating treatment based on established protocols, can prevent disease progression and an increased complication rate. These interventions can potentially decrease the length of stay and health care costs. Medical researchers have researched on this syndrome and have come up with the possible solutions to curb it. Once identified and confirmed, the patient must learn to administer injections, monitor his or her blood sugar and count carbohydrates. This medical condition requires consistent care, but technological advancement n monitoring this condition has made it possible to rectify this condition. This technology will prove extremely useful if physicians and medical personal take the initiative to educate type 1 diabetes mellitus patients, on how to use it for continuous and effective self-management of their disease. One of the devices that apply this technology is the Guarding RT, which provides users with constant glucose readings and has alarms for hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. In addition, physicians and support medical personnel should educate and encourage type 1 diabetes mellitus patients to use rapid-acting insulin instead of regular insulin. Rapid-active insulin, which is used after every meal, is more effective than regular insulin in the control of postprandial blood glucose levels and also brings about fewer episodes of postprandial hypoglycemia than regular insulin. For juvenile patients to control their type 1 diabetes effectively, they need to make independent decisions on a daily basis concerning insulin intake, diet, and exercise. The new solution entails involving family physicians in the encouragement of patients manage their condition on a constant basis by teaching them techniques of tight glycemic control, through accurate and rapid adjustment of insulin dosages and changing their lifestyle in a manner that reduces the risk of developing complications (Wakefield, 2011). Keywords: diabetes mellitus, postprandial blood glucose, juvenile patients, Guarding RT. Problem statement Current methods of managing diabetes mellitus type 1 involve insulin replacement therapy, dietary management, and careful blood glucose monitoring using glucose monitors. Current methods of glycemic control are quite complicated and, therefore, juveniles with diabetes type 1 mellitus have to visit the hospital on a regular basis for accurate blood glucose level checks. Additionally, they have to visit a healthcare facility during cases of sudden hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia which may have adverse effects on health. When sugar levels in the blood build up, as a result of lack of insulin, several complications can arise. One is dehydration as a result of increased urination as the body tries to clear this excess sugar fro the body. Alot of water is therefore lost through this process. Another complication that results are weight loss. Loss of sugar in the body translates to loss of calories that provide the energy required in the body. Dehydration also contributes to this weight loss. Diabetic Ketoacidosis can also result. This is an extremely severe complication that arises from the increased pile up of excess sugar, acids, and dehydration. This should be curbed immediately as it is life-threatening. Damage to the body can also result if not treated early. High sugar levels in the blood damage small blood vessels of different organs such as kidneys, eyes and the nerves too. Large arteries also harden and this may result to stroke and heart attack. Recent advancements in medical technology have considerably simplified glycemic control and reduced the need to visit a health facility for checkups (Nadeem, 2010). This is because these new technologies have simplified continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), making it possible for juvenile patients to manage effectively their condition without having to visit a healthcare facility. For this new solution to be successful, patients have to be thoroughly educated on the methods of glycemic control, self-administration of insulin, and dietary management. Solution Description The patient must learn to administer injections, monitor his or her blood sugar and count carbohydrates. It requires consistent care as mentioned above and close monitoring are a must. For juvenile patients to control their type 1 diabetes effectively, they need to make own decisions on a daily basis concerning insulin intake, diet, and exercise. The new solution entails involving family physicians in the encouragement of patients manage their condition on a constant basis by teaching them techniques of tight glycemic control, through accurate and rapid adjustment of insulin dosages and changing their lifestyle in a manner that reduces the risk of developing complications. Physicians ought to provide patients with achievable goals regarding their blood glucose level. For the patient to achieve these goals, they need to learn the effect of insulin, food, and physical activity on their blood level. Physicians should also consider the need to refer some of their patients to a certified diabetes educator in the event that a patient has failed to meet his glycemic goals. Novel technology has emerged which enables real-time continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). This technology will prove extremely useful if physicians and medical personal take the initiative to educate type 1 diabetes mellitus patients, on how to use it for continuous and effective self-management of their disease. One of the devices that apply this technology is the Guarding RT, which provides users with constant glucose readings and has alarms for hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. In addition, physicians and support medical personnel should educate and encourage type 1 diabetes mellitus patients to use rapid-acting insulin instead of regular insulin. Rapid-active insulin, which is used after every meal, is more effective than regular insulin in the control of postprandial blood sugar levels and also brings about fewer episodes of postprandial hypoglycemia than regular insulin. Development of an audit tool for an initial risk assessment and the development of an ongoing assessment process should follow. Development of treatment protocols/interventions would be the final step in addressing the identification and treatment of the patient with juvenile diabetes. Education of the nursing staff would include a pre- and post-test; information/direction on conducting a risk assessment, including patient observation, recognition of early signs and symptoms. Implementation of the solution After the solution has gone through all the processes necessary for it to be accepted as relevant and effective, it has to be implemented successfully. The implementation team will integrate the change into the current structure, culture, and workflow of the organization a short period after staff has been trained on how to use it. The whole implementation process will be government by a change management plan, which will be designed and implemented by long-serving middle level leadership within the healthcare setting, who are thoroughly familiar with the organization’s culture and structure. In order to achieve successful integration with the current culture, structure, and workflow of the organization, the implementation team will disseminate information regarding the new procedures to staff through the current information system. In addition, new policies created to support the new procedures should not contradict any existing policies which influence the healthcare establishment’s workflow. Conclusion Prevention is always better than cure. Increased overweight can lead to diabetes. Studies show that the incidence of overweight children and adolescents (above the 95th percentile for weight) has been increasing during the last few decades, with 17.1% of all children and adolescents being defined as overweight in 2003 and 2004. The primary resources required for implementation of the new self-management education intervention for glycemic control are sample equipment for training staff in their use. The implementation team will train staff by use of information provided through pamphlets and PowerPoint presentations. When staff is sufficiently skilled in the use of these new materials and equipment such as Guarding RT continuous glucose monitoring device, they will be able to educate juvenile type 1 diabetes patients on how to use them. Family physicians and nurses will be the primary groups responsible for educating patients in the use of these resources. The implementation team will obtain feedback from patients who will participate in the initial implementation process through surveys to determine whether the change is effective. The total costs of the implementation process include $200 for producing pamphlets, $1500 for training staff, $2500 for conducting the survey and analyzing data by use of IT technology, and $6000 for service provided by the implementation team. References Haney, J. (2005). Juvenile diabetes. New York: Benchmark Books. Metcalf, T., & Metcalf, G. (2008). Diabetes. Detroit: Thomson/Gale. Peacock, J. (2000). Diabetes. Mankato, MN: LifeMatters. Read More