Glucagon Kits: Are Your Patients Prepared for a Hypoglycemic Emergency
Abstract
Hypoglycemia is responsible for approximately 100,000 emergency room visits per year in the United States at a cost of about $120,000,000. 1 The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends people with diabetes have an immediate source of glucose to treat mild or moderate hypoglycemic episodes and a prescription glucagon kit for the treatment of severe hypoglycemic episodes. Instructing patients on the risk, avoidance, and treatment of hypoglycemia is a core component of Diabetes Self-Management Education. The ADA defines hypoglycemia as a condition characterized by abnormally low blood glucose levels, usually less than 70 mg/di. While all hypoglycemia is of concern, mild to moderate hypoglycemia typically does not constitute an emergency and can be treated by the individual with the ingestion of 15 grams of a quick acting simple carbohydrate, such as glucose tablets or gel, regular juice or soda, sugar, honey, or candy such as gummy bears or jellybeans. Treatment of severe hypoglycemia requires assistance from others and is considered a medical emergency. If unconsciousness or the inability to eat or drink occurs, glucagon may be administrated by injection to raise the glucose levels to normal. A hypoglycemia emergency plan should be established, including training a caregiver to correctly assess the situation, knowing the location of the location of the kit, and proper administration of the life-saving medication.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 03, 2016
- Accession Number
- AD1030057
Entities
People
- Connie Morrow
- Ellen Cobb
- Jana Wardian
- Nina Watson
- Tom Sauerwein
Organizations
- 59th Medical Wing