Care Opinion

Lack of test equipment

Posted By Jazzerf

"Lack of test equipment"

About: Queen Margaret Hospital / Diabetes & Endocrine

(as the patient),

Just prior to my operation to have a Hydrocele procedure I was approached by one of the anaesthetists with a concern that she was unable to check my ketone level for the surgery as the hospital did not have the test equipment at hand to carry out the test. I am type 2 diabetic. 

I was rather surprised with this as I was going through my final checks prior to be putting under anaesthesia. 

The anaesthetist said she would recommend that I do not have the surgery and cancel my appointment, however I had waited 18 months for this procedure so I asked what the chances of complications were and was informed one in 400 so I elected to continue with the operation. 

I would however recommend that the hospital management purchase the ketones tester for future patients to prevent anxiety from both patients and anaesthetist staff in future. 

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Responses

Response from Denise Burns, Diabetes Nurse, Diabetes Service, NHS Fife 3 days ago
Denise Burns
Diabetes Nurse, Diabetes Service,
NHS Fife

Submitted on 12/03/2025 at 16:10
Published on Care Opinion at 16:10

Thank You for your feedback.

I presume you are on medication that puts you as risk of developing ketones as checking for ketones in the type 2 diabetes population is not routinely required. The surgical guidance is planned to be reviewed shortly and anesthetists have been discussing this. There is nothing specific to say your are required to check your ketones prior to routine elective surgery. We advise patients to avoid this medication when you are acutely unwell to reduce the potential for developing ketones. I apologise for the additional anxiety you experienced.

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