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Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Improving IV Insulin Administration in a Community Hospital
Published on: June 11, 2012
Safety and efficacy of an insulin infusion protocol designed for the non-intensive care setting
Russell Vinik1, Robert E Jones, Robert C Pendleton
1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah 84132, USA. vinik@hsc.utah.edu
Objective:
To determine whether glycemic control can be safely achieved with use of a simplified insulin infusion protocol in hospitalized patients who are not in the intensive care unit (ICU).
Methods:
We developed a novel intravenous insulin protocol specifically designed for use in the non-ICU setting. We then collected clinical data on the first 30 patients treated with use of this protocol. Our study focused on safety and glycemic control.
Results:
The insulin infusion protocol was used in 30 patients for a total of 634 hours. A single hypoglycemic episode (glucose level <60 mg/dL) occurred in 3 patients. The target mean glucose level of <150 mg/dL was achieved in 9 hours. Once the glucose target had been achieved, the mean and median glucose concentrations were 156 mg/dL and 140 mg/dL, respectively.
Conclusion:
Use of a simple intravenous insulin protocol can safely and effectively control the blood glucose level in patients in a non-ICU setting.
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