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Updated: Jul 6, 2026
12:08
Improving IV Insulin Administration in a Community Hospital
Published on: June 11, 2012
Managing hyperglycemia in hospitalized patients
Susan S Braithwaite1, Beverly Robertson, Hetal P Mehrotra
1University of North Carolina, Division of Endocrinology, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7172, USA. sbraithw@med.unc.edu
Clinical Cornerstone
|March 25, 2008
Summary
Structured insulin protocols, including basal-prandial-correction subcutaneous (SC) insulin therapy, improve inpatient glycemic control. Multidisciplinary input is essential for developing effective institutional diabetes management tools.
Area of Science:
- Internal Medicine
- Endocrinology
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Hyperglycemia is common in hospitalized patients and requires careful management.
- Insulin therapy is crucial for preventing hyperglycemia in critical care settings.
- Structured protocols enhance the safe administration of insulin.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline a structured, dynamic, dose-defining algorithm for safe insulin administration.
- To standardize basal-prandial-correction subcutaneous (SC) insulin therapy for hospitalized patients.
- To emphasize the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration in developing institutional diabetes care tools.
Main Methods:
- Development of institutional order sets or computerized order entry templates for insulin therapy.
- Standardization of basal, prandial, and correction insulin dosing strategies.
- Incorporation of patient self-management principles where appropriate.
Main Results:
- Structured algorithms ensure the safest administration of insulin infusions in critical care.
- Institutional order sets simplify and standardize basal-prandial-correction SC insulin therapy.
- Multidisciplinary input is vital for creating effective patient care tools.
Conclusions:
- A structured, dynamic, dose-defining algorithm is essential for safe insulin infusion in critical care.
- Standardized order sets for basal-prandial-correction SC insulin therapy improve inpatient diabetes management.
- Collaboration among diverse healthcare professionals is necessary for optimal institutional diabetes care tools.
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