Preparing for a hospital stay with T1D? Learn how to improve your experience

Since being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (t1d) more than twenty-five years ago, I've been hospitalized four times: to deliver my son, for ulcers, after a false alarm involving my heart, and for a routine colonoscopy. Through these hospital stays, I learned the importance of being prepared and what to expect while staying in the hospital with a t1d diagnosis.

Preparing for a hospital stay means understanding the length of the stay, doing the proper prep to ensure that the procedure runs smoothly, and bringing everything you may need with you, especially for people with t1d. Read on for some helpful tips on how to improve your stay in the hospital.

How to prepare for a hospital stay

Whether you're having an inpatient or outpatient procedure, preparing for a hospital stay is important, especially for those with t1d. First, make sure you understand how long you'll be staying at the hospital, what you can expect, and ask any specific questions you may have about your stay or the procedure. After you've discussed the procedure with the physician who will perform it, reach out to your endocrinologist. Your endocrinologist will explain how the procedure will affect your condition. Both teams of doctors should also be in contact with each other regarding your care.

Before any procedure, it's important to check in with your doctors to see if there is any necessary prep work you need to do before being admitted to the hospital. For example, for a colonoscopy, there are steps you need to take before you can have the procedure done. When I scheduled my routine colonoscopy, I informed the scheduler of my t1d and was offered the first appointment of the day so I wouldn't have to fast for an extended period of time. Once the appointment was set, I notified my endocrinologist, and she gave me printed instructions on how to prepare for the procedure. Twenty-four hours prior to the colonoscopy, I had to fast and drink a solution to ensure my colon was as clean as possible. This can affect blood sugar levels, so it's important to check them constantly throughout the day and night and call the physician if you experience severe lows to ask for help.

In addition to following any directives before a procedure, it's also a good idea to get a good night's sleep so you're well rested. Finally, it is key that you stay on top of your t1d and ensure blood sugar levels remain steady prior to the procedure.

What to bring to the hospital

To prepare for the hospital, you'll want to pack a bag will all of the necessary supplies you'll need throughout your stay. These supplies may include:

• Your glucose monitor so you're able to check blood sugars throughout the day and treat any highs or lows accordingly.
• Extra test strips and lancets, especially if you'll be in the hospital for an extended period.
• An extra pump and CGM supplies in case of a pump failure or if you need to change your CGM components.
• Carb-free snacks, glucose tablets, and juice boxes so you're prepared to treat a low blood glucose reading.
• Your cell phone charger if you wear a CGM that syncs to your cell phone so there are no interruptions to continued glucose readings.
• Your logbook to keep track of blood glucose readings so you have it in case you need to show your progress.
• Medical cards for insurance information.
• A family or friend's contact information, especially if you're going in for a procedure that requires that you be driven home afterward.

What to expect at the hospital

The more you understand the procedure and the better control you have over your t1d before hospitalization, the easier it will be to manage expectations when going for a hospital stay. During your stay, you can expect doctors and nurses to closely monitor your t1d and to check in with updates about your progress daily. The nursing staff will also do daily checks of your vitals. If you would like to be hands-on with your care by changing your own infusion sets and pump and checking your blood sugars using your own devices, let the medical staff know.

While preparing for the birth of my son, I asked the nursing staff if it would be okay to use my personal monitor instead of the hospital's monitor. They were amenable and welcomed my hands-on approach. Did you know that every time the hospital uses its own equipment, it contributes to your hospital bill? By checking your blood sugar yourself, you can save on that expense.

What to do after a hospital stay

Procedures can sometimes disrupt glucose levels if you have to take medication or fast. Once your procedure is complete, be diligent about getting back on schedule with regular blood sugar checks and eating, and check in with your endocrinologist if you notice any changes to your blood sugars.

Additionally, after you've completed the procedure and received the test results, make sure to forward them to all of your physicians to be placed in your medical chart.

Are you on Medicare? Check out this helpful article on how to navigate Medicare and diabetes.