Discharge Glucose and Hyperglycemia in Emergency Departments

Anand Swaminathan: Glucose is not associated with short-term adverse outcomes in emergency department patients with moderate to severe hyperglycemia. About 1% of ED visits are diabetes related, and often these elevated sugars have little to do with their visit or simply present because of medication and dietary lapses. The higher glucose levels at discharge were not associated with a greater risk of ED visits, hospitalization, or other adverse outcomes. How should I use this? If a non-insulin-dependent diabetic presents withhyperglycemia, I start with a simple physical screening.