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Improving IV Insulin Administration in a Community Hospital
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Improving Timeliness of Insulin Administration by Using an Insulin Dose Calculator
Sara Ruddock-Walker1,2, Sarah Shaaban3,4, Jessica L Jacobson3
1Rush University Medical Center, Rush Children's Hospital, Chicago, Illinois sara.ruddockwalker@nm.org.
Hospital Pediatrics
|September 24, 2021
Summary
Implementing an insulin dose calculator (IDC) significantly reduced wait times for insulin administration in pediatric patients. This electronic medical record tool also improved nursing satisfaction with the insulin ordering and dosing process.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric endocrinology
- Health informatics
- Quality improvement in healthcare
Background:
- Insulin dosing requires careful consideration of individual patient needs.
- High-risk nature of insulin necessitates efficient and accurate administration protocols.
- Current inpatient insulin ordering and administration processes can involve significant wait times.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of implementing an insulin dose calculator (IDC) on wait times for insulin administration in hospitalized pediatric patients.
- To assess changes in nursing satisfaction with the insulin administration process following IDC implementation.
Main Methods:
- A pre- and postintervention cohort study design was employed.
- Wait times between glucose testing and insulin administration were measured.
- Nurse satisfaction surveys were conducted before and after IDC implementation.
- Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, chi-square, Fisher's exact test, and Student's t-tests, alongside statistical process control charts.
Main Results:
- Average wait time for insulin administration decreased from 37 to 25 minutes post-IDC implementation (P < .05).
- A 5-month sustained period below the established mean wait time was observed after IDC implementation.
- Nursing satisfaction with the insulin dosing process increased from 15.6% to 69.2% (P < .05).
Conclusions:
- Implementation of an insulin dose calculator effectively reduced average wait times for rapid-acting insulin ordering and administration.
- The IDC improved the overall satisfaction of nursing staff with the insulin administration workflow.
- Electronic medical record-integrated tools can optimize high-risk medication administration processes.
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