title: Prevalence and management of diabetes in residential aged care facilities in north-east Victoria, Australia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Managing diabetes in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) presents challenges to general practitioners (GPs) as the incidence of the disease increases.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this article is to describe the prevalence and management of diabetes in RACFs in north-east Victoria.
  
  
  METHODS
  The method used for this study was a cross-sectional audit of medical files.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ten RACFs were invited and agreed to participate, giving a sample of 593 residents. Diabetes prevalence was 18.2% (n = 108). Half of the residents with diabetes had received a glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) test in the previous six months. Of these residents, half had an HbA1c result of 8%. The frequency of hypoglycaemic events was found to be 10%. Hyperglycaemic episodes (HbA1C >10%) occurred in 69% of residents with diabetes; 21% had hyperglycaemic episodes when defined by levels greater than those set by the resident's GP. Diabetes-related unscheduled hospitalisations was found to be 6.5%, while diabetes-related general practice visits was 23%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of diabetes in the RACFs was higher than previously reported in rural Victoria. Practice variance from evidence-based guidelines may be contributing to unplanned hospitalisations and increased acute general practice visits.
authors.forename: Helen M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Haines
authors.forename: Holly
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bannon-Murphy
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Amos
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Krones
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006707:Homes for the Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D014739:Victoria / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; C517652:hemoglobin A1c protein, human