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Improving IV Insulin Administration in a Community Hospital
Published on: June 11, 2012
Outcomes of hypoglycemia treated by standardized protocol in a community hospital
Abstract:
Hypoglycemia in patients with diabetes was treated by a standardized protocol in a 300-bed community hospital. Patient outcomes were studied retrospectively using data from medical records. Hypoglycemia was defined as a blood glucose level below 80 mg/dL when symptoms were present, or 60 mg/dL regardless of symptoms. Treatment consisted of 20 grams of fast-acting carbohydrate repeated every 15 minutes until the blood glucose level was above 80 mg/dL. The blood glucose level was then rechecked one hour after treatment. Data from 179 episodes were evaluated. In 153 (85%) cases, the blood glucose levels were within the target range (80-200 mg/dL) at the conclusion of treatment. In 135 (76%) cases, the blood glucose level at one hour following treatment was within the same target range.
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