Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Knowledge of glucocorticoid use during acute illness is widely known, however, knowledge of Diabetes Insipidus (DI) is suboptimal amongst healthcare professionals. In 2009, a series of medical and management failures led to the death of 22 year old from DI in a London hospital. Since then increased efforts have been made to raise awareness about the inpatient management of DI and dangers associated with delay and/or omission of desmopressin. An NHS England patient safety alert was also issued in 2016 highlighting this risk.

Aim: To assess knowledge, awareness and concerns regarding DI among medical personnel in an inpatient setting.

Method: A survey with 10 questions was sent to 150 healthcare professionals.

Results: 107 responded: (3 Consultants; 6 Registrars; 18 SHO; 5 FY2; 13 FY1; 13 Medical students; 33 Nurses; 1ACP; 8 Pharmacists; 5 HCA). Of these, less than 50% of responders knew the consequences in delay of treatment. Only about 25% of nurses had an idea on how to treat DI. None of the junior doctors know how to access desmopressin, compared to 15% of medical students.

Discussion: Inpatients with DI require heightened medical attention and care due to the risk and fatal consequences arising from lack of knowledge of healthcare professionals. Improved education, easier access to desmopressin, earlier Endocrinology consult, trust-wide safety initiatives and guidelines, electronic pharmacy alerts may all be useful interventions in improving the safety of patients with DI.