Quality improvement project on in patients with diabetes admitted with covid-19 in a secondary care hospital in Kent

Aims: To review the data of patients with diabetes admitted with covid-19 infection from March 2020 to May 2020 in our hospital to improve access to specialist care Methods: Data was retrospectively collected on 72 adult inpatients from our hospital covid database with type 2 diabetes and covid-19 (positive PCR) between March and May 2020 The data extracted from electronic record included demographics, co-morbidities, type of diabetes, complications, antidiabetic medications and outcomes Results: Out of 72 patients, 46 (63%) were male, 58 (80%) British White, (56) 78% were above 60 years and 43 (59 7%) had a length of stay up to 10 days 69 (96%) had type 2 diabetes, 7 (10%) had diabetic ketoacidosis, 50 (69%) had HbA1c \u003e7 5% (IFCC 58 mmol/ mol) and 42(58%) had blood pressure\u003e 130/80 mmHg;37(51%) patients were discharged home while 34 (47%) patients died during the hospital stay Out of 34 deaths, 20 (58%) were above 60 years Conclusion: Diabetes is a significant predictor of co-morbidity and mortality in patients with covid-19 Patients in elderly age group and those with poorly controlled diabetes and blood pressure had worst prognosis This pilot data has helped us secure funding for a small research project designed to study the psychosocial aspects to improve the care of these patients post-covid, with regular specialist input as there is lack of community diabetes care