Blood Glucose Levels - Monitoring BGLs
Recording and documentation of BGLs is a legal requirement by service providers.
Overview
Overview
One of the main aims of diabetes treatment is to keep blood glucose levels within a specified target range. The key is balancing the client's food with their activity, lifestyle and diabetes medicines. Blood glucose monitoring can help us to understand the link between blood glucose, food, exercise and insulin for our clients.
Over time their readings will provide their health professionals and us with the information required to determine the best management strategy for their diabetes. Keeping blood glucose levels within a target range can help reduce a person’s risk of developing diabetes-related complications.
The number of times people with diabetes who use insulin will check their blood glucose levels varies according to several factors. People with type 2 diabetes who are not using insulin may not need to check their blood glucose levels as regularly. However, they may find a period of structured self-monitoring to be helpful.
Structured self-monitoring involves checking their blood glucose levels at certain times of the day (for instance, after meals) for a given period (i.e. two weeks) and then working with the diabetes healthcare team to figure out how food, physical activity and medications impact their blood glucose levels. A self-monitoring tool might be helpful for any clients who want to try structured self-monitoring.
What do we need?
To check blood glucose levels, we need the following:
- A glucometer
- A lancet device with lancets
- Blood glucose test strips.
- Hand hygiene
- Gloves
Blood glucometers are usually sold as kits giving all the equipment needed to start. There are many different types, offering different features at different prices to meet individual needs. Most of these are available from Diabetes Australia, pharmacies and some diabetes centres.
The client's doctor or credentialled Diabetes Educator can help choose the best glucometer for the client and then demonstrate how to use it to get accurate results.
The client's doctor or credentialled Diabetes Educator can help choose the best glucometer for the client and then demonstrate how to use it to get accurate results.
Why is it so important to check BGLs?
Regular checking and recording of the client's blood glucose level can reinforce healthy lifestyle choices and inform you and the CCM of their response to other food choices and lifestyle influences.
Importantly, BGL pattern changes can alert the client's healthcare team to a possible need for a change in how their diabetes is being managed.
Support Worker Responsibilities
- Support workers are responsible for assisting a client with measuring their BGLs. There is online training available, and if required, follow-up training can be provided. If you have not ever used a glucometer, ensure you complete the online training and ask for practical assistance.
- Support workers are responsible for recording the client's BGL results as outlined in the Care Instructions.
CCM Responsibilities
- CCMs are to ensure support workers have the knowledge and skills to undertake BGL measurements. To request training and education for BGL training and support to support workers as required.
- To establish recording procedures in the client's Care Instructions.
- To monitor the client's BGLs and escalate to a doctor for review as required.
What should we aim for?
Effective management of diabetes is all about aiming for a careful balance between the foods they eat, how active they are and the medication they take for their diabetes. Because this is a delicate balance, it can be challenging to achieve the best possible blood glucose management all the time.
Effective management of diabetes is all about aiming for a careful balance between the foods they eat, how active they are and the medication they take for their diabetes. Because this is a delicate balance, it can be challenging to achieve the best possible blood glucose management all the time.
The ranges will vary depending on the individual and an individual’s circumstances. While it is essential to keep their blood glucose levels as close to the target range of target range between 4 to 6 mmol/L (fasting) as possible to prevent complications, it is equally essential that we confirm with the CCM for the range of blood glucose levels their doctor recommends are right and safe for them. Therefore the following information should be treated only as a general guide.
What is a glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) check?
The HbA1c check shows an average blood glucose level over the past 10–12 weeks and should be arranged by their doctor every 3–6 months.
The HbA1c check shows an average blood glucose level over the past 10–12 weeks and should be arranged by their doctor every 3–6 months.
Does the HbA1c replace checking BGLs?
The HbA1c check doesn’t show the highs and lows the home blood glucose check can demonstrate. Therefore it does not replace the checks but is an added tool in giving the overall picture of their blood glucose management.
What HbA1c do I aim for?
The goal for most people with diabetes will be in the 6.5-7.0 per cent (48-53mmol/mol) range. However, this may need to be higher for some people, including children and the elderly. The client's doctor, with the CCM, can help decide on an appropriate and realistic target for their circumstances.
Related Items
The goal for most people with diabetes will be in the 6.5-7.0 per cent (48-53mmol/mol) range. However, this may need to be higher for some people, including children and the elderly. The client's doctor, with the CCM, can help decide on an appropriate and realistic target for their circumstances.
Related Items
- Diabetes Management policy
- Managing Diabetes processes
- Measuring BGLs process
- Falls Management Policy
- Managing Client Falls Process
- Medication Management Policy
- Managing Medications processes
References and Benchmarking
- Diabetes Australia Managing Diabetes and Blood Glucose Monitoring