What to know upon discharge from the hospital: diabetes

So you're being discharged from the hospital. Here's what you should know when you leave in order

to set yourself up for success. [MUSIC PLAYING]

Your discharge plan will be created during your stay at the hospital in concert with your doctor

and the rest of your health care team. This plan will help you to be prepared to stay healthy once you leave the hospital

and help you avoid having to come back. This is not an exhaustive list. Your health care providers will have specific guidance

tailored to your unique needs. But in general, here are some things you'll want your discharge plan to include.

The medical condition you have, any allergies you have, the medicines you should be taking, and how and when to take them.

For those living with diabetes, you might need to take medications like insulin, metformin, GLP-1

receptor agonists, or SGLT-2 inhibitors. No matter what the medication is you are prescribed,

it's critical to know how to take it, what your dosage is, and when to take it. You'll want your discharge plan to include

where your next stop is. Are you going home or to another facility? Will you need special assistance like a home health aide?

When and where your next appointments are, and contact information for the providers you'll see,

ways to monitor your condition-- for those living with diabetes, monitoring your glucose and A1C levels

is paramount to managing your condition. Ask what your target blood sugar range and target

A1C levels are, how often you should test your sugars, and ways you can improve your levels.

You'll want your discharge plan to include what problems to look out for and what

you should do in case one arises, who you should call if you have a problem, what physical activities you can do,

and ones you should avoid, where you might find additional information and resources, what

special equipment-- if any-- you may need, what foods you should eat, and ones you should avoid.

For those living with diabetes, the foods you eat affect your blood sugar levels. Prioritize fruit and veggies, whole grains, proteins,

and non-fat dairy. You should avoid fried foods, foods high in carbs like soda, cookies, starchy veggies, foods high in sodium, and alcohol.

You should also talk to your health care team about when you should eat, as that timing matters, too.

If you have a caregiver, you'll want them to also know and understand the ins and outs of your discharge plan.

The same goes with anyone else who might be helping you after your discharge. Following your discharge plan will

help you stay healthy and, hopefully, avoid having to come back to the hospital. [AUDIO LOGO]