Early detection of diabetes can be a challenge everywhere – also in an island community like the Faroe Islands. Yet, early detection of diabetes is crucial for effective treatment and better health outcomes.
“If diabetes isn’t caught in time, the consequences can be serious,” says Heidi, an outreach nurse at Steno Miðstøðin – Steno Diabetes Center Faroe Islands (SDCF). “But when we find it early, there’s so much we – health professionals – can do to help.”
SDCF is the only clinic specialising in endocrine care in the Faroe Islands, where it is estimated that 3,000 people have diabetes, some of them without knowing it. However, detecting diabetes can be difficult, as it often develops slowly and without clear symptoms.
Now, SDCF are seeing good results with a simple, yet effective solution: integrating diabetes screening into routine hospital admissions. While the project is still being evaluated, this new procedure has already detected dozens of new cases of diabetes and pre-diabetes, leading to potentially more effective early treatment.
Just like measuring temperature or blood pressure, ward nurses now perform a blood sugar test. If the result is abnormal, it is followed by an HbA1c test to measure long-term blood sugar levels. Depending on the outcome, the patient may be referred to SDCF or a notification is sent to their general practitioner.
Before integrating diabetes screening with routine hospital admissions, discovery of diabetes in the hospital wards was often arbitrary. With this initiative, the screening has been systematised and embedded into everyday practice.
“The patients admitted to the hospital wards are not there because of diabetes and can be seriously ill due to other illnesses,” says outreach nurse Heidi. “But when we tested them, we found that many of them were at risk of developing diabetes – or already had it. They just didn’t know it.”
Integrated screening procedures can be crucial for treatment success and ensure more equal access to high-quality diabetes treatment across the Faroe Islands. All patients admitted to the medical ward at the National Hospital are now screened for diabetes – not just those singled out for testing.
But changing standard procedures works best when everyone understands the importance and impact. For example, knowing a patient has diabetes before surgery allows the medical team to take necessary precautions, which can be crucial for the patient’s safety.
More broadly, early detection and high-quality treatment benefit both individuals and the healthcare system. Achieving real change requires ongoing engagement and open communication across departments and public health sectors to ensure continuous competence-building and sharing of best practices.
“It is very positive that Steno nurses and doctors teach us about diabetes-related topics as part of the initiative,” says Katrin, a senior ward nurse. “They’re proactive and ask us which areas we want to explore and develop. If we’re unsure, we can discuss it with qualified professionals.”
The initiative by SDCF focused on patients hospitalised in the medical and surgical wards at the National Hospital of the Faroe Islands and now includes:
- An evaluation of current treatment plans for people diagnosed with diabetes
- A screening program for diabetes and prediabetes
- Competence development for ward nurses and other healthcare professionals
However, the most important part is simply to stay in touch: “Even though they’re responsible for their hospitalised patients, it’s important for ward staff to know that we’re always just a phone call away,” says Heidi.
Further information
Novo Nordisk Foundation, Judith Vonberg, Communications Manager,
+454172 7925, jvo@novo.dk