Authors (including presenting author) :
IP MK(1), CHAN WY(1), TSE SM(1), CHAN KM(1), YEUNG CH(1), YEUNG YMA(1), LI KY(1)
Affiliation :
(1)Department of Rehabilitation &
Extended Care, TWGHs Wong Tai Sin Hospital
Introduction :
Diabetes mellitus is a common chronic disease nowadays. According to Diabetes Hongkong, every 10
people have 1 person suffering from DM. Also, 1 in 5 people with diabetes are aged above 65 years old
globally (International Diabetes Federation, 2019). Poor DM control can cause several complications, such
as hypoglycemia, which is acute and life-threatening. 78.2% of diabetic patients attending AED due to
hypoglycemia are aged over 65 years old. Furthermore, the hospitalization rate and mortality rate because
of hypoglycemia are significantly higher in the elderly (Wong et al, 2017). However, hypoglycemia can be
preventable and manageable if patients have knowledge and awareness (Boyle,& Zrebiec, 2007).
Therefore, patient education in raising symptom recognition and management is important.
Objectives :
The objective is to enhance patients’ knowledge and increase awareness of hypoglycemia. Moreover, it is to teach effective strategies in managing hypoglycemia.
Methodology :
Patients admitted to ward 4EF who met the following inclusion criteria were included under convenience
sampling method.
The inclusion criteria:
1. Diagnosed type 2 DM / history of hypoglycemia
2. Age greater than or equal to 65
3. AMT greater than or equal to 8 / no language barrier
Pamphlet and power point about knowledge of hypoglycemia are made for education to patients.
Questionnaire for pre and post education is made for comparison in order to see the effectiveness after
education.
Result & Outcome :
There are total 20 samples, data collection Period is from 18/8/2020 to 17/10/2020. They have improvement
of knowledges for handling hypoglycemia after education. They are able to name the symptoms of
hypoglycemia. They understand some methods to treat hypoglycemia and call for help in experience of
symptoms.
By patient education of hypoglycemia management, this can enhance patients’ knowledge and increase
awareness of hypoglycemia, it can teach effective strategies in managing hypoglycemia. Patients can have
confidence on self-management on hypoglycemia. It can reduce length of hospitalization. It may reduce
unplanned readmission in the future. DM is a chronic disease that unable to be cured. Well management of
diabetes could avoid the onset of complication. Nurses take an important role to educate patients to
decrease risk of long term complication. In my vision, it is sustainable for nurses to educate patients with
hypoglycaemia knowledges in future.
