Friday’s Daily Piece: Avoiding Hyperglycemic Emergency

A gentleman with type 2 diabetes recently shared his insulin mishap with me. He receives his long and rapid acting insulin through patient assistance program as he does not have health insurance. He ran out of his rapid acting insulin, and forgot to let his provider’s office know that he needed refill of this rapid acting insulin through patient assistance program which resulted in a hyperglycemic emergency and hospital visit. Upon discharge, he was determined to not let it happen again. His refills were ordered through patient assistance, and samples provided to get him through until the refill arrived. Lesson learned to always let his provider’s office know when he needs insulin refills through patient assistance as his body requires both the long and rapid acting insulin. He also recognizes need to allow a couple of weeks for the refill process through patient assistance.