Day case procedures

You may need to go to the hospital for a day case procedure or outpatient investigation, such as a scan, a blood test or an endoscopy. If you have Type 1 diabetes, you should be able to continue with your usual insulin regime as long as you’re allowed to eat and drink freely and you don’t have to miss a meal. However, make sure you keep a close eye on your glucose levels – you may find your hospital visit or procedure stressful and your levels may unexpectedly go up (or down).

Take a look at some advice you may need to consider if you have type 1 diabetes and you’re going to the hospital for a day case procedure:

There may be a delay in your procedure…

…or a considerable waiting before your procedure, so have some rapid-acting glucose handy at all times.

If your procedure is prolonged…

…it is worth mentioning to the team looking after you that you need to be aware of what your glucose levels are doing, just in case you need to take a break or you feel your sugars dropping. The team will be able to assist you if you have a problem with managing your glucose levels.

If you are asked to miss a meal or “fast” for any length of time…

…you may need to adjust your usual insulin regimen. This will depend on what time of day the procedure is and how long it will take.

You may wish to download the guidelines below designed to help people with Type 1 diabetes manage their blood glucose if they’re going to the hospital for an endoscopy or bowel preparation for a colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy.

Download guidelines if you have diabetes and you’re attending the endoscopy department in the morning.

Download guidelines if you have diabetes and you’re attending the endoscopy department afternoon.

Download guidelines if you have diabetes and you’re undergoing bowel preparation for a colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy.

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