Type 2 Diabetes Adult Outpatient Insulin Guidelines - CMA Foundation

Notes:
• Patients on multiple daily doses of insulin should generally check at least 3-4 times per day.
• Patients who are not on insulin may consider choosing an occasional meal and check both
before and 1-2 hours after that meal, to see how the content of the meal affects the glucose
levels.
Recommend immediate checking of blood sugar levels using a personal meter if the patient thinks
their blood sugar is low or they experience any of the following signs:
• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Dizziness or shakiness
• Excessive sweating
• Fast heart rate
• Headache
• Hunger
• Nervousness or irritability
• Blurred vision
Common patient barriers to using personal blood glucose meters and routine monitoring include:
• Test strips can be expensive. Some insurance providers limit the number of strips patients can
purchase each month.
• Need to have testing supplies on hand.
• Testing can be inconvenient and interrupt daily activities.
• Fingersticks can cause pain and discomfort. (Many meters can be used painlessly in alternate
sites. Patients should check their glucometer instruction manual.)
• Monitoring is a constant reminder of the diagnosis.
• Fear that elevated results mean their diabetes is worse or insulin is needed.
• Belief that results place judgment on self-management efforts.
24 CMA FoundAtion . diAbetes And CArdiovAsCulAr diseAse Provider reFerenCe guide . july 2011