title: Take common comorbidity into account to save money.
abstract: Flagging patients with diabetes--even when they enter the hospital for an entirely separate illness or injury--can help your hospital save significant resources and cut your average length of stay, according to a panel of diabetes experts. The Nashville, TN-based Diabetes Treatment Centers of America says diabetic patients account for 15% of all hospital admissions and 20% of all hospital days and costs. And they consume about a third more resources than other patients who enter the hospital with similar complaints. A panel of experts convened by DTCA recommends promptly identifying patients with diabetes; identifying and addressing any special needs they may have; improving outcomes by optimizing glycemic/metabolic control; raising the awareness of the health care team regarding the unique challenges of diabetes care; and striving toward the goal of maintaining a length of stay for these patients equal to that of patients without diabetes.
mesh_terms: D019090:Case Management / Q000191:economics*; D015897:Comorbidity; D017046:Cost Savings; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000191:economics* / Q000628:therapy; D017721:Hospital Costs; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D013714:Tennessee; D014600:Utilization Review