Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 25, 2026

Improving IV Insulin Administration in a Community Hospital
Published on: June 11, 2012
Applying quality improvement methods in a hyperbaric oxygen program: reducing unnecessary glucose testing
Sarah L Stevens1, Atsushi Sorita1, Anthony J Narr1
1Division of Preventive, Occupational and Aerospace Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, U.S.
Objective:
To describe the implementation of a quality improvement (QI) project that aimed at improving and standardizing glucose checks on patients with diabetes undergoing hyperbaric oxygen (HBO₂) therapy.
Methods:
This is a prospective cohort study. Following the Model for Improvement, nurses and physicians ran several Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles over a four-month period, with multiple iteration and testing changes. They developed and implemented a nurse-led protocol that was tested prospectively.
Results:
Compared to the pre-protocol baseline (N = 332), glucose checks per session guided by the protocol decreased by 37.7% (2.84 vs. 1.77 per session, P⟨0.001). Compliance with the new protocol was higher than compliance with the existing protocol (97.3% to 84.2%, P⟨0.001). There were no cases of a symptomatic hypoglycemic event after the implementation of the protocol.
Conclusions:
A quality improvement project implemented by a multidisciplinary team in a hyperbaric practice was feasible and has improved the management of diabetic patients undergoing HBO₂ therapy. Considering how the hyperbaric community values the culture of safety and considering the feasibility of this project, more QI training and projects in hyperbaric programs should be performed.
Related Concept Videos
SBAR II: Application of SBAR
SBAR Report from a Nurse to a Health Care Provider
S: "Hello, Dr. Smith. This is Jane, RN, from the Med Surg unit. I am calling to tell you about Ms. White in Room 210, who is experiencing increased pain and redness at her incision site. Her recent...
Respiratory Assessment: Purpose and Indications
Objectives and Importance:
The primary goal of respiratory assessment is to evaluate patients at early risk of clinical deterioration. Since respiratory distress often precedes other signs of declining health, breathing patterns and sounds become a...
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Oxygen Therapy for Respiratory Failure
Oxygen therapy is vital in increasing and maintaining blood oxygen levels in PAH patients. As a result, it aids in reducing fatigue,...
Errors occurring during blood pressure monitoring
Several factors...
Glucose Homeostasis: Regulation of Blood Glucose
During fasting, when blood glucose levels are low, the pancreas secretes glucagon. it...
Special considerations while measuring oxygen saturation
Ensuring accuracy in vital sign recordings while prioritizing patient comfort and minimizing anxiety is...

