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Hypoglycemic Events in the Emergency Department
Anjana Bairavi Maheswaran1, Renee Petzel Gimbar2, Yuval Eisenberg3
1Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.
Summary
Glucagon, a key treatment for severe hypoglycemia, is significantly underprescribed, with only 3% of at-risk patients receiving it. Increased education for providers and patients is crucial to improve the anticipatory management of hypoglycemia.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Diabetes Management
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Hypoglycemic events lead to 100,000 US emergency department visits annually, costing $120 million.
- Severe hypoglycemia management relies on glucagon, yet its prescription for anticipatory use is understudied, particularly in emergency settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prescription rates and identify gaps in glucagon use for anticipatory hypoglycemia management.
- To characterize patients experiencing hypoglycemic events in an urban emergency department.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus presenting with hypoglycemia.
- Analysis of emergency department data from 2016 to 2018.
Main Results:
- A total of 232 patients were identified; 84% had type 2 diabetes mellitus, and 61% were on insulin.
- Glucagon prescription prevalence was low at 3%.
- Only 12% of patients received recent diabetes education.
Conclusions:
- Glucagon is underutilized for severe hypoglycemia management, likely due to insufficient provider and patient awareness and education.
- Enhanced emergency department provider education on prescribing glucagon is recommended.
- Patient and family education on glucagon's efficacy and use is vital for self-management.
Keywords:
management of hypoglycemia in acute care settingprevalence of glucagon prescription in the emergency roomunderutilization of glucagon for anticipatory management of hypoglycemiaMore Related Videos
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