What is a HbA1c?
- HbA1c, also known a Glycated Haemoglobin, is used in the monitoring and diagnosis of diabetes mellitus
- HbA1c is formed when haemoglobin joins with glucose in the blood becoming 'glycated'
- The amount of HbA1c formed is directly related to the average blood glucose concentration over the previous 8 to 12 weeks and is the preferred test for long term monitoring of glycaemic control in people with diabetes.
Test workflow
Pre-diabetes
If a patient with pre-diabetes has an improved HbA1c (<42), right-click on the problem, click edit, change the status to past, and enter today’s date as the end date.
Allocate pre-diabetes results in patients under 18 or patients with learning disability to GP.
Glucose
If there are any glucose levels <4.0mmol/L → please add this to the Duty Doctor list for review
Safety Netting
For patients with newly diagnosed Diabetes:
- Add safety netting template to consultation (set diary entry for 4 weeks)
- Under ‘blood test due’ - add comment to check if patient was seen by a GP and referral to DESMOND has been done
Desmond referral must be done within 9 months of new diabetes diagnosis.
During monitoring of HbA1c in newly diagnosed patients, ensure to check if patient was seen by a GP and referral to DESMOND has been done. Send a task to the GP, and if referral is done, end diary entry.