Treatment of Diabetes at the Clínic

There are about 2,500 patients seen regularly in the Diabetes Unit at the Hospital Clínic, Barcelona; 76% of whom have type 1 diabetes. 

Every year, 30 treatments with insulin pumps are started, pregnancy is controlled in approximately 50 women with pre-gestational diabetes and some 15-20 pancreas transplants are performed.

The Diabetes Unit is a pioneer and has extensive experience in the following procedures:

• Intensive therapy with multiple doses of insulin, continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (insulin pumps) associated with continuous glucose monitoring systems and flash glucose monitoring.
• Hybrid artificial pancreas systems.
• Structured therapeutic education programmes for daily treatment self-management aimed at patients, family members and caregivers.
• Design of educational material for people with diabetes.
• Cardiovascular risk assessment in people with diabetes.
• Clinical-educational coordination between the hospital's Diabetes Unit and the Primary Care centres in the Barcelona Esquerra Primary Health Care Area (AISBE).

Patient participation is fundamental in improving care at the Unit. Thus, two patients with type 1 diabetes are part of the Quality Committee for the Insulin Pumps Therapeutic Care and Education Programme and one patient participates in the m-Health group.