Improving the peri-operative pathway of people with diabetes undergoing elective surgery: the IP3D project.

AIM: To determine whether outcomes for people with diabetes undergoing elective surgery improve following the introduction of innovations in the peri-operative care pathway. METHODS: Following a baseline audit of 185 people with diabetes listed for elective surgery (July to December 2017) with a length of stay > 24 hours, a number of changes in practice were implemented. These included dissemination of a 'diabetes peri-operative passport' to participants preoperatively, formation of a diabetes surgery working group, recruitment of surgical diabetes champions and the roll-out of surgical diabetes study days. Crucial was recruitment of a diabetes peri-operative nurse, whose role included engaging and educating others and supporting individuals throughout their peri-operative diabetes care. Records of 166 individuals listed for surgery during the implementation period (July to December 2018) were then audited using the same methodology. RESULTS: The availability of a recent HbA1c measurement significantly increased (63% vs 92%; P