Effective glycemic management in hospitalized patients: a multidisciplinary approach

The dual purpose of this process paper is to describe the implementation of an intensive insulin infusion program against multiple barriers, despite the increasing evidence in the literature supporting glycemic control, and to report the glucose outcomes. Traditional hyperglycemic management has been done either by subcutaneous sliding scale or intravenous insulin infusions based on absolute glucose numbers. A review of the literature, with particular evidence within the cardiothoracic surgical (CTS) population, has shown significant deleterious effects of even mild hyperglycemia.Increasing evidence supporting prevention of hyperglycemia, along with an unsatisfactory review of current methods used in-house, prompted the initiation of a pilot program to improve current methods utilizing insulin therapy. A multidisciplinary committee was formed consisting of the director of the intensive care unit, a dietician, a nursing unit director, a charge nurse, an endocrinologist, and two endocrinology nurse practitioners with extensive experience in intensive insulin therapy, including continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion. A review of literature was performed to evaluate available data and intravenous insulin infusion algorithms used by published authors. The CTS population was chosen as well as the intensive care unit. Nursing barriers in particular were extensive, and the use of a velocity driven insulin protocol required didactic instruction as well as individual reinforcement. All education, algorithm development, and oversight of patients were primarily performed by the nurse practitioners with immediate endocrinologist availability if needed. A review of glucose results indicated a significant reduction in hyperglycemia with a decrease in hypoglycemia and facilitated transition to subcutaneous therapy when necessary.