Use of a Computer-Guided Glucose Management System to Improve Glycemic Control and Address National Quality Measures: A 7-Year, Retrospective Observational Study at a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital
Background
Inpatient hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, and glucose variability are associated with increased mortality. The use of an electronic glucose management system (eGMS) to guide intravenous (IV) insulin infusion has been found to significantly improve blood glucose (BG) control.
Objective
This retrospective observational study evaluated the 7-year (January 2009-December 2015) impact of the EndoTool® eGMS in intensive and intermediate units at Vidant Medical Center, a 900-bed tertiary teaching hospital.
Conclusions
The use of eGMS resulted in rapid, effective control of inpatient BG levels, including significantly reduced hypoglycemia rates.
Using Technology to Improve Quality Measures
- BG levels were brought to target more rapidly
- 5 to 2.3 hours (4.5 to 4.8 hours for cardiovascular patients)
- Minimal hypoglycemia was observed
- 03% for BG values <40 mg/dL; 0.93% for <70 mg/dL,
- Significant reductions over time in hypoglycemia frequency (<70 mg/dL), from 1.04% in 2009 to 0.46% in 2015
- Infection decreased
- HAC-8 rates were reduced from 0.083 per 1,000 patients in 2008 to 0.032 per 1,000 patients in 2011
Publication Information
Authors: Robert J. Tanenberg, MD, FACP; Sandra Hardee, PharmD, CDE; Caitlin Rothermel, MA, MPH; Almond J. Drake 3rd, MD, FACE
Location: Vidant Medical Center in Greenville, NC
Source: Endocrine Practice. 2017; 23:3, 331-341