Management of Diabetes Patients across the Peri- Operative Pathway: A Systematic Review

Peri-operative environments are a hazardous setting for diabetes patients. A systematic review of literature regarding the management of diabetes patients across the peri-operative pathway has been undertaken to assess if the management of patients within this pathway is suitable and effective for patients. Methods A database search of Google Scholar, CINAHAL, Embase, OVID, Cochrane Library, Joanna Briggs institute and PUBMED was undertaken from 15 th of March 2019 to 30 th of March 2019. A total of 57 papers were found and reduced down to 11 final papers that answered the review question and met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Inclusion criteria were: Full text, English language, human subjects, adult patients only and studies that focused on diabetes care in a section of the peri-operative pathway. Exclusion criteria: children or adults and children, studies that looked a one particular intervention or type of surgery. No date limit was set. PICO tool was used to frame the study question. Results Three main themes emerged from the literature. 1. Poor patient outcomes; 2. Longer length of stay (LOS); 3. Lack of adherence to guidance and or protocols and glycaemic control. Elective patients had advantageous outcomes compared to emergency surgical patients. Hyperglycaemia still remained a problem with an increase in other medical complications for diabetes patients. LOS in hospital was found to have increased due to medical complications. Adherence to protocols and guidance was found to be beneficial in monitoring and managing hyperglycaemia. However, this review found that best practice guidance and hospital protocol is not always adhered to. A liberal approach to glycaemic control is beneficial. Conclusion This systematic review investigated the management of diabetes patients across the peri-operative pathway. Three main themes emerged from the literature: poor patient outcomes; length of stay; and lack of adherence to guidance and or protocols and glycaemic control. We concluded the peri-operative environment is a hazardous setting for a diabetes patients. Elective patients had slightly more advantageous outcomes than emergency patients. Hyperglycaemia still remains a problem which leads to poor patient outcomes and longer LOS. Adherence to protocols and guidance was found to be beneficial in monitoring and managing hyperglycaemia.