Spanish specialists call for expansion of Diabetes Day Hospitals

During the 67th Congress of the Spanish Society of Endocrinology and Nutrition (SEEN) in Santiago de Compostela, medical experts highlighted the need to expand the Diabetes Day Hospital model in Spain.

Dr. María Asunción Martínez Brocca, head of Endocrinology and Nutrition at Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, warned that the current unequal distribution of these facilities creates geographic inequities in access to specialized care. These hospitals serve as an intermediary between conventional outpatient consultations and full hospitalization, allowing for rapid treatment of glycemic decompensation without requiring hospital admission.

Experts emphasized that consolidating these resources could reduce emergency room visits and improve continuity of care. Recommendations include creating collaborative networks between health areas, establishing clear referral circuits, and ensuring access to multidisciplinary teams, specialized nursing, and diabetes technology. Dr. Javier Escalada, president of the SEEN Foundation, also stressed the importance of diabetes education to enhance patient autonomy.