Evaluating Perioperative Glycemic Control of Non-cardiac Surgical Patients with Diabetes

Hyperglycemia during the perioperative period has generally been accepted as a contributor of poor outcomes in patients with diabetes mellitus undergoing surgery. Although an optimal glycemic range has not been clearly established in the literature, a consensus among national medical organizations generally recommends serum glucose levels to be maintained less than 180 mg/dL during the perioperative period.

The primary purpose of this evidence-based project was to identify the range of blood glucose values obtained from adult patients with diabetes mellitus undergoing non-cardiac surgery at a large military medical facility. The secondary purpose of this project was to assess the need for change in future practice. A retrospective review of the electronic medical record was conducted to identify adult surgical patients with diabetes scheduled for non-cardiac surgery. Preoperative and postoperative blood glucose values were obtained from the electronic medical record. The frequency of blood glucose values maintained within the recommended range of 140-180 mg/dL was recorded. Additional demographic data were collected to include age, height, weight, body mass index, length of surgery, and insulin/oral glycemic medications.

Of the 9,449 surgeries performed between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2013, there were 762 (8%) adult non-cardiac surgical patients identified with either a diagnosis of diabetes or a blood glucose value reported during the perioperative period. The recommended blood glucose range of 140-180 mg/dL was achieved in 31.3% (179 of 572) of patients before surgery and 28.6% (71 of 248) after surgery. A blood glucose value was not recorded before or after surgery in 24.9% (190 of 762) of patients identified as having pre-diabetes or diabetes.

Diabetes is a frequent finding in surgical patients. Monitoring blood glucose values during the perioperative period may allow for early treatment and prevent complications related to poor glycemic control. The results of this project revealed 2 potential areas of improvement in the care of non-cardiac surgical patients with diabetes: (1) improving compliance with obtaining blood glucose values before and after surgery and (2) reducing the incidence of postoperative hyperglycemia (>180 mg/dL) which potentially could prevent avoidable complications related to poor glycemic control.