Tina Jones Discharge Teaching Plan

Patient: Tina Jones Diagnosis: Foot Infection You are discharged, now what? Now that you are discharged from the hospital there are a few things that we need to cover to ensure a healthy recovery. Included below is information to help you guide you through your recovery at home. This information is not intended to replace any advice given by the health care provider, but it to serve as an aid in your recovery. As you were diagnosed with a foot infection during your stay here there are a few things that we wanted to cover with you. The information below is provided to you as a guide to aid in healthy recovery, alongside with preventing any worsening of condition. Diet As a diabetic, there are certain foods that are better than others. It is recommended that you follow a diabetic diet. A diabetic diet simply means to eat maintain a healthy-eating plan. This diet should consist of foods that are naturally rich in nutrients. You should try to eat fats and calories in moderation. The best foods for you are fruit, vegetables, and whole grains. By maintaining health eating habits you are improving your overall health and helping to delay and even prevent complications that could be related to diabetes. (gray) Activity Increase activity as tolerated. Medications You will leave today with antibiotics (name of antibiotic here). These antibiotics are an important part of your treatment. It is important that you take your antibiotics as prescribed and complete them entirely. Antibiotics should be taken as prescribed even if your wound appears to be healed. Your antibiotic that you are leaving with today is (name here). You will need to take this antibiotic (x time per day). Blood Sugar Monitoring Monitoring your blood sugar is an important part of the self-care of diabetes. It is important to understand that having diabetes means that your body doesn’t properly manage sugar. () Because of this it is important for you to ensure that you are maintaining your target blood sugar level as to avoid any worsening problems with your eyes, kidneys, heart and feet. You should check your blood sugar on a regular basis. Please review the information included here for Diabetes and Diet. Wound Care Wound care is a very important part of your recovery. You will find a detailed sheet on wound care in the following pages to help you on your road to recovery. Follow Up If you develop any worsening symptoms or concerns it is important for you to be reevaluated right away. Any increased redness, swelling, drainage, fevers would be concerning. It is also important to follow up with your primary care doctor 2-3 days after discharge to ensure continued improvement of your wound. Diabetes: Blood Sugar Monitoring 1. What do I need to know? a. Managing your blood sugar is an important part of diabetes management. Diabetes is a lifelong disease but by learning to manage your sugar properly you can prevent worsening problems caused by uncontrolled diabetes. b. It is important to check your sugar on a regular basis, tracking this information when directed as to find the best treatment. c. Properly maintaining your sugar will aid you in a healthy lifestyle. 2. Why is it so important to monitor my sugars? i. Complications can occur from diabetes, and proper management of your blood sugar levels are one way to prevent these complications. 1. Complications of diabetes include cardiovascular disease, nerve damage resulting in decreased blood flow to your extremities and increased risk for infection. Eye disease, kidney disease, dental problems, and skin issues. ii. If you feel like you are experience any of these symptoms it is important to contact your PCP and follow up accordingly. 3. How do I check my blood sugar? a. This is done using a device that includes lancets, glucose monitoring strip and the machine itself. b. This teaching was (will be) provided hands on prior to disease to ensure understanding. c. Diabetes education or home care nurse to follow up with you upon your return to home to enforce continued understanding. 4. What are some signs of high blood sugar? (hyperglycemia) a. Some signs of high blood sugar include the following: i. Excessive urinating ii. Excessive thirst iii. Weight loss iv. Fatigue v. Blurred Vision