Implementing a Diabetic Algorithm for Ophthalmology Surgery Patients: A Quality Improvement Initiative

Area of Science:

• Quality Improvement
• Interventional Study
• Diabetic Patient Care

Background:

• Perioperative glucose irregularities pose risks to patient safety and surgical outcomes.
• Existing diabetic protocols may lead to safety concerns, such as hypoglycemia.
• Optimizing patient care requires addressing safety, efficiency, and cost in diabetic management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop, implement, and evaluate a novel diabetic algorithm for patients undergoing ophthalmology outpatient surgery.
• To enhance patient safety during surgery.
• To improve operating room efficiency and reduce supply costs.

Main Methods:

• A multidisciplinary team reviewed current diabetic protocols and patient safety data.
• A new diabetic algorithm was developed based on incident reports and best practices.
• The algorithm was trialed for 24 months, collecting data on adverse events, setup time, and costs.

Main Results:

• Zero safety incidents were reported after algorithm implementation.
• A 97.5% reduction in the use of preoperative insulin protocols was achieved.
• Supply costs decreased by $30.63 CAD per patient, with faster setup times and reduced nursing requirements.

Conclusions:

• The new diabetic algorithm significantly improved patient safety and operational efficiency.
• Multidisciplinary collaboration and frontline staff input are crucial for optimizing patient care and reducing healthcare expenditure.
• This quality improvement initiative demonstrates a successful approach to managing diabetic patients in outpatient surgical settings.