Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Improving IV Insulin Administration in a Community Hospital
Published on: June 11, 2012
Safety and efficacy of continuous insulin infusion in noncritical care settings
Dawn Smiley1, Mary Rhee, Limin Peng
1Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, USA. dsmiley@emory.edu
Background:
Continuous insulin infusion (CII) to manage hyperglycemia is the accepted standard of care in the intensive care unit (ICU); however, the safety and efficacy of CII in the non-ICU setting has not been determined.
Research Design And Methods:
This is a retrospective analysis of 200 consecutive patients receiving CII while admitted to general medical-surgical units at Emory University Hospital. We evaluated clinical outcomes and rates of hyperglycemia (blood glucose [BG] >200 mg/dL) and hypoglycemia (BG <60 mg/dL) events during CII.
Results:
A total of 200 patients (age 52 +/- 16 years; male/female [M/F] 108/92) were admitted to general medicine (45%) or surgery (55%) services, 88.5% with history of diabetes and 41% treated with corticosteroids. The mean BG prior to and during the CII was 323 mg/dL and 170 mg/dL, respectively. Blood glucose of
Conclusions:
CII resulted in rapid and sustained glycemic control and a rate of hypoglycemic events similar to that reported in recent ICU trials. The rates of hypoglycemic and hyperglycemic events are significantly higher in patients allowed to eat during CII.
Related Concept Videos
Drug Accumulation During Multiple Dosing: Intermittent IV Infusions
Determination of Multiple Dosing Parameters: Steady-State, Minimum and Maximum Concentrations
Insulin: Dosing Regimen and Adverse Effects
The basal dose constitutes about 40%-50% of the total daily dose, with the rest as premeal insulin. The mealtime insulin dose should mirror...
One-Compartment Model: IV Infusion
The one-compartment model for IV infusion uses mathematical equations to describe the rate of change in drug quantity in the body. At steady-state or infusion equilibrium, the drug input...
Insulin Formulations: Types and Delivery
Short-acting insulins are divided into rapid-acting...
Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy

