How to prepare people with diabetes for surgery

Updated January 2022. Hyperglycaemia in people undergoing surgery is associated with longer hospital stay and higher risk of adverse postoperative events, including infections, acute kidney injury, acute myocardial infarction and death. Those with undiagnosed hyperglycaemia are at particularly high risk. Thus, identifying them prior to referral is important. This quick guide explains how to prepare people with or at high risk of diabetes for surgery, including which information to include when referring.