Raised Blood Glucose in Known Diabetes – Primary Care Triage Tool

Raised blood sugar in patients with known diabetes is a frequent challenge in primary care, requiring prompt and systematic assessment to prevent acute complications such as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) or hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS) while addressing chronic control. As primary care clinicians, you often encounter these cases in triage settings with limited access to full patient records, relying on recent results (e.g., HbA1c, prior glucose readings, out-of-hours encounters) to guide decisions.

This stepwise triage guide provides a structured approach to evaluate and manage elevated blood glucose levels, using both mmol/L and mg/dL units for clarity. It emphasizes identifying urgent cases, leveraging available data, and ensuring patient safety through timely intervention and clear follow-up. The following steps aim to balance efficiency with thoroughness, enabling you to differentiate between routine hyperglycemia and emergencies while supporting patient education and continuity of care.