Next Steps

Follow-up

• In cases of mild dehydration with borderline diabetic ketoacidosis, you may be treated and released from the emergency department providing that you are reliable and will promptly follow-up with your health care practitioner.

• Whether you are released to go home or monitored in the hospital, it is important that close monitoring of blood sugar and urinary ketone levels be continued. Elevated blood sugars should be controlled with extra insulin doses and drinking plenty of sugar-free fluids.

• Long-term care should include periodic follow-up with your health care practitioner to achieve good control of blood sugars. Care includes screening for and treating the complications of diabetes by periodic blood tests of hemoglobin A1C, kidney function, and cholesterol, as well as an annual eye examination and regular inspection of the feet (for evidence of wounds or damage to nerves).