Closed-loop management of inpatient hyperglycaemia

The prevalence of diabetes in the inpatient setting is increasing, and suboptimal glucose control in hospital is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Attaining the recommended glucose levels is challenging with standard insulin therapy. Hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia are common and diabetes management in hospital can be a considerable workload burden for health-care professionals. Fully automated insulin delivery (closed-loop) has been shown to be safe, and achieves superior glucose control than standard insulin therapy in the hospital, including in those patients receiving haemodialysis and enteral or parenteral nutrition where glucose control can be particularly challenging. Evidence that the improved glucose control achieved using closed-loop systems can translate into improved clinical outcomes for patients is key to support widespread adoption of this technology. The closed-loop approach has the potential to provide a paradigm shift in the management of inpatient diabetes, particularly in the most challenging inpatient populations, and may reduce staff work burden and the health-care costs associated with inpatient diabetes.