Essential diabetes education teaching tools aren't the only thing needed for new patients. Certain topics should be included and reiterated in teaching a new patient during discharge:
Ensuring the patient knows and is aware of the risks of hypoglycemia.
Ensuring the patient knows the signs and symptoms as well as treatment of hypoglycemia.
Confirmation patient or caregiver has access to treatment of hypoglycemia at their home, such as quick-acting carbohydrates and glucagon if needed.
Ensure patient has and knows how to use a glucose meter.
If the patient is using a ketone meter, ensure the patient understands how and when to use it - diabetes education teaching tools can play a huge role here.
Ensure patient has or has access to needed diabetic supplies such as diabetic testing equipment, pen needles, insulin pumps, and syringes.
If the patient is suffering from diabetic foot disease: confirmation that their diabetes specialist team are aware of the discharge, that the patient has antibiotics, confirm the number of days' worth of dressings has been provided, they have a podiatry appointment and are part of the diabetic foot clinic.
All patients with diabetes during discharge should have a review of their discharge summary, have received detailed discharge counseling especially on any altered doses of medication to ensure no errors are introduced. They should also have a care plan, follow-up plans and receive a return of all discharge medication, including the return of the patient's medicine and insulin from the fridge.