As a general internist, I appreciate the work of the ADA (American Diabetes Association) that identifies advances in diabetes care and adds these new developments to their comprehensive guidance called “Standards of Care''.  The SOC is published in Diabetes Care as a supplement every January.  The 2023 full version, abridged version, primary care, and other versions are all available online for free.  For providers, a free app is now available (ADA SOC) which allows real time access on your smartphone for quick guidance on specific patient care issues.  

For many reasons, our education committee chose to focus this year on reducing the risk of hypoglycemia in persons with diabetes.  CMS has data from April 2016-March 2017 showing this is a major reason for a higher first 30 day all-cause SNF Readmissions rate. As of Jan 1, 2019, the CMS “SNF Readmission Measure” (SNF-RM) adjusts payments to facilities based on this measure. From multiple randomized controlled studies, we know that serious hypoglycemia increases mortality. For this reason, in high risk patients, AGS and ADA have recommended higher A1C targets in those with higher hypoglycemic risk.  

Let’s face it: sliding scale insulin (or “rescue dose”) is still very common. This is in spite of the practice being actively discouraged for years, and being listed in the “Beers Criteria” (for years) as a treatment modality to “avoid.” The reasons for this are many, but the main reasons are:

 

1.    Prescribers want an “intervention” for high blood glucose readings (>150) that doesn’t involve a phone call.

In the October 4, 2018 issue of Diabetes Care, the ADA and EASD (European Association for the Study of Diabetes) published their consensus report for Management of Type 2 Diabetes, 2018.  Both organizations now favor the use of Incretin Receptor Agonists or SLG2 Inhibitors for persons with established macrovascular disease (or high risk for Cardiovascular Disease), for improving glycemic control, if metformin alone isn’t adequate or not appropriate.