Reimagining acute diabetes care: insights from the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department

OBJECTIVE: New approaches to diabetes care are needed to better identify and manage diabetes emergencies outside of hospitals. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A descriptive analysis of routinely collected data was conducted using data from the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED) Diabetes, a telehealth service that provides emergency care, including ketone testing by ambulance personnel, for patients across Victoria, Australia, experiencing non-life-threatening diabetes-related emergencies. RESULTS: Between July and December 2024, VVED Diabetes managed 868 diabetes-related emergencies, with 82.5% treated in the community, avoiding a physical emergency department visit. Referrals came from various sources, including Ambulance Victoria (26%), aged care facilities (29%), and self-registrations (20%). Hyperglycemia accounted for 46% of presentations. No clinical adverse events were reported, and patients gave positive feedback in a postdischarge survey. CONCLUSIONS: VVED Diabetes delivers safe, timely, and high-quality treatment for individuals with diabetes who are acutely unwell, while ensuring the efficient use of limited hospital resources.