This sick day plan developed by endocrinologists Dr Michael Bennett and Dr Lili Yuen is for people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
A sick day is defined as a period of stress or illness that requires a change to an individual’s usual diabetes management to prevent:
- hyperglycaemic or hypoglycaemic emergencies
- diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
- hyperglycaemia hyperosmolar state (HHS)
In the absence of symptoms, sick day plans should be applied under the following circumstances:
TYPE 1 DIABETES:
Evidence of ketones on urine testing (any ketones) or blood testing (any ketones in at-risk people, or ≥ 6 mmol/L in low-risk people), or blood glucose > 15mmol/L for two consecutive readings within 2-6 hours.
TYPE 2 DIABETES:
Blood glucose >15mmol/L on two consecutive readings within 8-12 hours.