[Insulin-resistance: description of an experience]

The measurement of insulin resistance in type II diabetic patients by euglicemic clamp is most frequently performed by doctors. The possibility and the new yield of qualifying nurses to play an autonomous role in the procedure was tested in the Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases Department of Verona Hospital, by the training of 4 nurses through an ad hoc protocol, under initial supervision (3 months) of a doctor. Over one year, 102 clamps were performed, and the coefficient of variation of the glucose values during the exam was monitored to assess the quality of performance. The positive experience was accompained only by minor problems such as difficult vein canulation (11 clamps); long duration of the exam, with patients exhaustion (two clamps); hypoglycaemic crisis (1 clamp); failure of devices with suspension of the test (2 clamps). Under the conditions adopted in this study, the euglicemic clamp can be safely and effectively performed by nurses.