Blood glucose monitoring in a regional secure unit

Abstract

Comments on an article by Catharine Jane Tarrant (see record 2006-10897-003). The author reaffirms the shortfalls in blood glucose monitoring in psychiatric practice, and we have confirmed this in two audits at a regional secure unit. These audits suggest that monitoring of blood glucose was unsatisfactory and recommendations (e.g. robust review of physical healthcare at care programmed approach meetings) to improve standards have subsequently been put into place. However, what is not known is the impact that the poor monitoring had on patient morbidity. One might predict that early detection and treatment of hyperglycaemia would prevent secondary problems such as coronary, renal and vascular complications in this patient population. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)