Endocrine Abstracts

Project Aim: To review the data from the Out of hours service across the 8 years it has been running to identify common themes in calls, review service useage, identify gaps in patient/parental knowledge and review if admissions have reduced during this time.

Objectives:
• To understand the frequency of calls to the out of hours service

• To highlight patterns and trends in the numbers and frequency of calls

• To identify the common themes in calls to highlight areas of improvement in education to C&YP and their families

• To determine if hospital admissions for diabetes related illness have reduced since the introduction of the Paediatric Diabetes Out of Hours Service

Method:
(i) Analysis of data collected from all out of hours calls over an 8 year period

(ii) Review of hospital admission data

(iii) Patient feedback as to the usefulness of the service.

Summary of Results:
• A total of 1224 calls have been received since the service started in 2009 - Receive an average of 13.6 calls per month.

• May - August are the quiest periods for the service

• The service receives on average 2 calls overnight per month (22:00–08:00) and 3 calls per month on Saturday/Sunday

• High blood glucose/Low blood glucose & Sick day advice are the most common reason to call

• 78% of calls were from mums

• 87% of calls were resolved over the phone

• 6% of calls were referred to PAU (Paediatric Assessment Unit) for futher assessment

• 88% of calls to the service were considered appropraite

• Admissions to hospital with diabetes related illness has fallen slightly since the service began

Conclusions: The out of hours service is an invaluable resource to our patients and families and one that is used widely. It deals with a wide range of calls and provides reassurance to families that one of their own diabetes nurses is available 24 hrs a day for urgent advice and support. It has highlighted that more emphasis and education is required for sick day management and management of high and low glucose levels to enable greater independence and confidence of our patients.