Evaluation of a hospital diabetes specialist nursing service: a randomized controlled trial

Aims To evaluate the effectiveness and cost implications of a hospital diabetes specialist nursing service. Methods We conducted a prospective, open, randomized, controlled trial of standard in-patient care for adults with diabetes, with and without the intervention of a diabetes specialist nursing (DSN) service. The setting was a single UK university hospital. Subjects were unselected patients referred to the hospital DSN service. Primary out come measures were length of hospital stay and patterns of readmission (frequency and time to first readmission). Secondary outcome measures were subjects' diabetes-related quality of life, diabetes knowledge score, satisfaction with treatment, and GP and community care contacts following discharge. Costs were estimated from the hospital and published sources. Results Median length of stay was lower in the intervention group (11.0 vs. 8.0 days, P < 0.01). Readmission rates were the same in the two groups (25%), and mean time to readmission was similar in the two groups, although slightly less in the control group (278 vs. 283 days, P = 0.80). The cost per patient for nursing input was <pound>38.94. However, when the reduced length of stay was accounted for, the intervention produced a mean cost per admission of pound 436 lower than that of the control group (P= 0.19). Patients in the intervention group were more knowledgeable regarding their diabetes and more satisfied with their care. Conclusions Diabetes specialist nurses are potentially cost saving by reducing hospital length of stay (LOS). There was no evidence of an adverse effect of reduced LOS on re-admissions, use of community resources, or patient perception of quality of care.