Management of diabetes and hyperglycemia in hospitals

"Glucometrics"--assessing the quality of inpatient glucose management

BACKGROUND

For patients with diabetes, the quality of outpatient glycemic control is readily assessed by hemoglobin A1c. In contrast, standardized measures for assessing the quality of blood glucose (BG) management in hospitalized patients are lacking. Because of recent studies demonstrating the benefits of strict glycemic control in critically ill patients, hospitals nationwide are dedicating resources to address this important issue. To facilitate advances in this nascent field, standardized metrics for inpatient glycemic control should be developed and validated.

METHODS

We used 1 month of fingerstick BG levels from a general hospital ward to develop and test three analytic models, based on three units of inpatient BG analysis: population (i.e., ward), patient-day, and patient. To assess the effect of the source of blood samples, we repeated these analyses after adding venous plasma glucose levels. Finally, we employed an idealized intensive care unit data set to establish "gold standard" metrics for inpatient glycemic control.

RESULTS

Mean and median BG levels and the proportion of BG levels within an "optimal" range (80-139 mg/dL) were similar among the three models, whereas hypoglycemic and hyperglycemic event rates varied considerably. Inclusion of venous glucose levels did not substantially affect the results. Of the three models tested, the patient-day model appears to most faithfully reflect the quality of inpatient glycemic control. Achieving 85% of BG levels within optimal range may be considered gold standard.

CONCLUSIONS

If validated elsewhere, these "glucometrics" would permit objective comparisons of inpatient glycemic control among hospitals and patient care units, and would allow institutions to gauge the success of their quality improvement initiatives.

Evaluation of a new blood glucose monitoring system with auto-calibration for home and hospital bedside use

A new self-calibrating blood glucose monitoring system (BGMS) was evaluated in a series of clinical studies with both ambulatory subjects and with hospitalized patients. The new BGMS requires a 0.6microL sample volume, provides results in 15s, and uses a glucose dehydrogenase chemistry that is oxygen independent. In the first study, Ascensia Contour meters calibrated to whole blood were tested by health care professionals (HCP) and lay users at two clinical sites. Both HCPs and lay users obtained results that fulfilled the ISO 15197:2003 criteria that 95% of self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG) measurements should fall within +/-20% (for blood glucose (BG) concentrations> or =4.2mmol/L or +/-0.83mmol/L for BG concentrations<4.2mmol/L) of the laboratory value. Lay users and HCPs obtained 97.2 and 96.7% of glucose results within ISO criteria, respectively. In a second study, HCPs assayed blood samples from patients at the hospital bedside using meters calibrated to give whole blood glucose and meters calibrated to give plasma glucose results. Overall, 94.7% of the measurements met the ISO 15197:2003 criteria. Most lay subjects rated the BGMS as either excellent or very good in a questionnaire, and were able to use it properly without training. These findings indicate that this new BGMS is a convenient and accurate instrument system suitable for both hospital bedside use by HCPs and for SMBG by people who routinely monitor their blood glucose.

Hyperglycemia during critical illness

BACKGROUND

We sought to review the literature describing the benefits of tight glycemic control in critically ill patients, comparing outcome differences in subgroup populations.

METHODS

We searched PubMed for relevant literature on the topic of hyperglycemia and its management in the intensive care unit.

RESULTS

Overwhelming evidence in both surgical and medical patients conclusively demonstrates that hyperglycemia is a marker of severity of illness and is also an independent determinant of bad outcome, largely from infectious complications. Randomized trial evidence, in conjunction with historically controlled trials, supports the use of intensive insulin therapy and euglycemic control in critically ill patients, with nondiabetics possibly benefiting even more than diabetic patients. Euglycemia is best achieved, and hypoglycemia attenuated, through use of a protocolized approach. Further elaboration as to what threshold range defines euglycemia in patient subpopulations is needed and what pitfalls must be avoided in this practice. Development of continuous blood glucose monitoring has started and will someday be incorporated into routine practice in the same way that continuous electrocardiographic monitoring and pulse oximetry are standards of care in the intensive care unit.

CONCLUSIONS

Hyperglycemia is a predictor of death and complications in critically ill patients. Early aggregated study results show that control of hyperglycemia improves outcomes. Well-designed studies involving thousands of patients have started to better elucidate the concomitant promoters of hyperglycemia and to better quantify the benefits from tight glycemic control.

Efficacy of short term continuous subcutaneous insulin lispro versus continuous intravenous regular insulin in poorly controlled, hospitalized, type 2 diabetic patients

Intravenous insulin infusion (IVII) is rapidly effective in improving glycaemia in uncontrolled hospitalized diabetic patients. This significantly improves their morbidity and mortality. Intravenous insulin infusion may lead to IV infusion complications and is a heavy burden for caregivers.

AIM

The aim of our work was to compare the efficacy of IV regular insulin versus lispro Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion (CSII), in improving glycaemia in patients hospitalized for uncontrolled type 2 diabetes, the efficacy being assessed on the average blood glucose level observed.

METHODS

The study was designed as a prospective randomized study. Thirty-three type 2 diabetic patients, hospitalized for uncontrolled diabetes by their usual practitioner were included. After acceptation, patients were randomly assigned to lispro CSII (group 1, n=20) or IVII regular insulin (group 2, n=13) for 5 days. Ten capillary blood glucose/day were performed. Pre-meal blood glucose targets were 4.4-6.6 mmol/l. Mann Whitney, Wilcoxon and Fischer exact tests were used.

RESULTS

BG levels decreased significantly (-3.4+/-0.55 mmol/l in group 1 and -3.60+/-0.55 mmol/l in group 2, P<0.01) during the first 12 hours. Mean daily blood glucose at day 5 was statistically improved in both groups compared to day 1 (P<0.05 Wilcoxon) and comparable between the 2 groups. No severe hypoglycaemia was reported. No catheter complications occurred in group 1, 7 occurred in group 2.

CONCLUSION

CSII and IVII infusion were comparable in rapidly improving hyperglycaemia in uncontrolled type 2 diabetic patients. CSII, being more convenient, could be preferred in medical and surgical settings.

Evidence-based sepsis therapy: a hospitalist perspective

BACKGROUND

Severe sepsis and septic shock are common and associated with a 30-50% mortality rate. Evidence-based therapies for severe sepsis supported by international critical care and infectious disease societies exist, but are inconsistently employed.

METHODS

The epidemiology and definitions of sepsis syndromes are reviewed; sepsis therapies supported by definitive studies in the field, along with the supporting literature, are summarized and presented from a hospitalist perspective.

CONCLUSIONS

Compelling observational data supports the importance of early, effective antibiotics. Well-designed randomized controlled trials and/or meta-analyses demonstrate the impact of activated protein C, early goal-directed therapy, stress-dose steroids, and intensive insulin in well-defined subgroups of patients. These therapies reduce the absolute mortality risk associated with severe sepsis by 9.5-16%; the corresponding numbers needed to treat to save one life are 6.25-10.5. While major trials are ongoing and the evidence for several sepsis therapies are limited to single trials, the available evidence indicates that appropriate use of these treatments can substantially reduce mortality from severe sepsis.

Trends in bed occupancy for inpatients with diabetes before and after the introduction of a diabetes inpatient specialist nurse service

AIMS

To compare diabetes bed occupancy and inpatient length of stay, before and after the introduction of a dedicated diabetes inpatient specialist nurse (DISN) service in a large UK Hospital.

METHODS

We analysed bed occupancy data for medical or surgical inpatients for 6 years (1998-2004 inclusive), with a DISN service in the final 2 years. Excess bed days per diabetes patient were derived from age band, specialty, and seasonally matched data for all inpatients without diabetes. We also analysed the number of inpatients with known diabetes who did not have diabetes recorded as a discharge diagnosis.

RESULTS

There were 14,722 patients with diabetes (9.7% of all inpatients) who accounted for 101 564 occupied bed days (12.4% of total). Of these, 18 161 days (17.8%) were excess compared with matched patients without diabetes, and were concentrated in those < 75 years old. Mean excess bed days per diabetes inpatient under 60 years of age was estimated to be 1.9 days before the DISN appointment, and this was reduced to 1.2 bed days after the appointment (P = 0.03). This is equivalent to 700 bed days saved per year per 1000 inpatients with diabetes under 60 years old, with an identical saving for those aged 61-75 years (P = 0.008), a saving of 1330 diabetes bed days per year by one DISN. Excess diabetes bed occupancy was 167 excess bed days per year per 1000 patients with diabetes in the local population after the DISN appointment. One quarter of the known Type 2 diabetes population were admitted annually, but one quarter of patients had no diagnostic code for diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetes excess bed occupancy was concentrated in patients < 75 years old, and this was reduced notably following the introduction of a DISN service.

[Hyperglycemia and acute illness]

Hyperglycemia due to acute illness is frequently observed in non-diabetic patients. Considered as a physiological response to inflammation, it has now been shown to be an independent factor of morbid-mortality in critically ill patients. Hyperglycemia reduces the immune system response to aggression by decreasing the efficacy of some complement factors and polynuclear cells chemotactism and phagocytosis and by increasing the inflammatory response (cytokines, NF-kB and CRP). Glycemia near normalization using intensive insulin therapy significantly improves mortality and morbidity in several critical illnesses such as cardiac or infectious diseases. This improvement is probably due to the neutralization of deleterious effects caused by hyperglycemia and to the specific actions of insulin on the inflammatory response. Except for ICU patients, precise management protocols of hyperglycemia due to acute illness remain to be proposed and evaluated in clinical practice.

Effects of outcome on in-hospital transition from intravenous insulin infusion to subcutaneous therapy

It is widely accepted by medical practitioners that diabetes is a major independent risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease. However, less attention has been directed toward elevated blood glucose as a predictor of poor outcomes in hospitalized patients in cardiac critical care. This has occurred despite documentation of hyperglycemia in a significant proportion of patients admitted for cardiac care and considerable data supporting the use of intravenous (IV) insulin to achieve glycemic control. The increased risk for mortality due to hyperglycemia provides a strong rationale for an intensive approach using insulin to control blood glucose levels in cardiac patients being treated in acute care and surgical settings. IV insulin infusion is the therapy of choice for patients in cardiac critical care units, with transition to a subcutaneous insulin therapy regimen when appropriate. The timing of this transition can be critical. Strong evidence from studies on patients who have undergone cardiac surgery suggests that glycemic control by insulin infusion should be maintained for > or =3 postoperative days. Nonetheless, transition from IV to subcutaneous therapy must occur at some point during the hospital stay. In conclusion, the implementation of measures to achieve glycemic control in acute cardiac care hospital settings can significantly reduce morbidity and mortality and can substantially decrease the costs associated with prolonged hospital stays. This report reviews recent clinical data on the benefits of IV insulin infusion in cardiac patients in critical care and provides recommendations on transitioning patients from IV insulin infusion to subcutaneous therapy.

Performance of a dose-defining insulin infusion protocol among trauma service intensive care unit admissions

BACKGROUND

Among critically ill patients, glycemic control reduces mortality and morbidities, but the use of intravenous insulin infusion is complicated by hypoglycemia. Having a standardized algorithm increases the likelihood of effective and safe utilization of intravenous insulin therapy. A tabular dose-defining protocol for intravenous insulin infusion is described, containing design elements intended to minimize risk for hypoglycemia while seeking control in a narrow target range, and performance is evaluated among critically ill trauma service patients.

METHODS

The protocol assigns insulin infusion rate (IR) for ranges of blood glucose (BG). The columns are arranged in order of increasing maintenance rate (MR) for insulin infusion. Patient column assignment is determined according to rate of change of BG. During stable column assignment, the IR is a function of column MR and BG. Within-column, the protocol formula provides that (a) for BG between 70 mg/dL and target BG, the IR increases exponentially to the column MR; and (b) for BG above upper target BG range, the IR increases linearly as an adaptation of the rule of 1800, with slope determined by the column MR. Values for IR calculated by formula are rounded to correspond to BG ranges of the table. Performance was assessed in 27 sequential runs among 24 trauma service patients admitted to a surgical intensive care unit (2004-2005).

RESULTS

Using point-of-care measurements, mean preinfusion BG was 230.0 +/- 67.9 mg/dL. BG < 140 mg/dL was reached during all 27 runs (median time 5.0 h), and target BG was < 110 mg/dL during 25 runs (median time 11.0 h). For the group of runs attaining target before interruption of insulin infusion, the average +/- SD of the principal measure of glycemic control, the within-run mean BG, was 113.7 +/- 14.8 mg/dL (coefficient of variation 13%, n = 25 runs). After attaining target, the average within-run SD for BG was 22.9 mg/dL. The within-run frequency of hypoglycemic measurements (BG < 70 mg/dL) as a percentage of BG determinations was 2.4%. In this series, no instance of BG <50 mg/dL was seen.

CONCLUSIONS

This report describes a nurse-implemented tabular protocol for intravenous insulin infusion having the advantages of efficacy, safety, and simplicity of use. Wide variability of IR in the neighborhood of BG 110 mg/dL is associated with stable BG response, and protection against hypoglycemia is achieved by rapid decline of IR at BGs in or below the target range.

Perioperative glucose control in the diabetic or nondiabetic patient

Patients with diabetes are more likely to undergo surgery than nondiabetics, and maintaining glycemic control in subjects with diabetes can be challenging during the perioperative period. Surgery in diabetic patients is associated with longer hospital stay, higher health care resource utilization, and greater perioperative mortality. In addition, several observational and interventional studies have indicated that hyperglycemia is associated with adverse clinical outcomes in surgical and critically ill patients. This paper reviews the pathophysiology of hyperglycemia during trauma and surgical stress and will provide practical recommendations for the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care of diabetic patients.

Metabolic syndrome in the acute care setting

The metabolic syndrome is a clinical condition that is a powerful predictor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Hypertension, abdominal obesity, high blood glucose levels, and abnormal blood lipid levels characterize metabolic syndrome. Therapeutic treatment of the metabolic syndrome confers a significant risk reduction for both type 2 diabetes and premature cardiovascular events. In the hospital setting, the management of hyperglycemia, one of the clinical components of the metabolic syndrome, has been secondary in importance to the condition that prompted admission. Hyperglycemia in the hospitalized patient has been associated with increased lengths of stay, higher rates of hospital-acquired infections, and increased mortality. Early recognition and treatment of hyperglycemia and the associated metabolic components that comprise the metabolic syndrome may reduce morbidity and mortality in the hospital setting. More aggressive interventions will aid in reducing costs while simultaneously improving patient care and safety.

Glycemic control after coronary bypass graft: using intravenous insulin regulated by a computerized system

Hyperglycemia is a risk factor for poor outcomes in patients who undergo coronary artery bypass grafting. Poor outcomes led a multidisciplinary team to formulate a protocol to improve glycemic control of inpatients who had diabetes or hyperglycemia. This protocol initiated an intravenous (i.v.) insulin infusion that is regulated by a computerized system that is known as a Glucommander, and guides the surgeon and nurses to an easy transition to subcutaneous insulin. As a result of implementing the computerized system which regulated i.v. insulin, glycemic control improved during surgery and postoperatively. Additionally, physician and nurse satisfaction increased because of better glycemic control using a reliable, safe, and easy tool for the management of insulin infusions and there were fewer interruptive phone calls to physicians.

Improving Inpatient Diabetes Care: Nursing Issues

As the epidemic of diabetes continues to escalate, the number of patients with diabetes who are hospitalized also will grow. Current evidence shows the value of good glycemic control in reducing morbidity and mortality in patients with diabetes. Nurses will increasingly be called on to provide the majority of the hospitalized care for these patients, and to implement care strategies that are safe, efficient, and effective. This article lists barriers faced by nurses in the inpatient setting when providing care to patients with diabetes and hyperglycemia, describes certain strategies that have successfully overcome these barriers, and suggests other strategies for testing.

Development of a Protocol for Capillary Blood Glucose Testing in Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Settings

OBJECTIVES

To develop an algorithm to standardize capillary blood glucose (CBG) testing in nursing home and rehabilitation patients.

DESIGN

Descriptive study in which an interdisciplinary team from a nursing home, a rehabilitation center, and a diabetes mellitus care program developed and tested a protocol to standardize diabetes management parameters and CBG testing frequency.

SETTING

Department of Veterans Affairs nursing home and rehabilitation unit.

PARTICIPANTS

One hundred one patients admitted to the units during the 6-month study period who had orders for CBG testing.

INTERVENTION

Use of a standardized CBG testing protocol.

MEASUREMENTS

Use of management goal, use of CBG testing protocol, total CBG tests/month.

RESULTS

One hundred one subjects received orders for CBG testing; 72 (72%) received orders for a management goal, and 69 (69%) received orders to use the CBG protocol. Of these 69 patients, 22 met their CBG goals and were advanced to less-frequent CBG testing using the protocol, and 15 did not meet their CBG goals and were not advanced. An additional 15 patients were advanced to less-frequent CBG testing but not using the protocol. In all, 54 of 69 patients (78%) were advanced or could have been advanced by protocol to less-frequent CBG testing. Total CBG testing per month did not change before, during, or after the study period.

CONCLUSION

This protocol would be useful in long-term care facilities and in other congregate living settings where patients with diabetes mellitus have staff assisting with their diabetes management. Barriers to successful implementation are discussed.

Promoting Continuing Education in Diabetes Management

Diabetes knowledge among hospital nurses is suboptimal. Studies that measured basic diabetes knowledge among nurses in a variety of clinical settings have consistently reported poor understanding of hemoglobin A1C, medication usage and side effects, and self-care diabetes management. Although diabetes is a common diagnosis among hospitalized patients, many nurses report they have never attended an update on diabetes management. To promote advances in glycemic control within the hospital setting, the nursing staff must be better educated in the theoretical framework and clinical practice guidelines for diabetes management. The methods used to promote continuing education in diabetes among staff nurses need to be cost-effective as well as flexible to accommodate work shifts and learning needs. Because many hospitals are facing staff shortages and increased patient acuity, staff development needs may not be a high priority. To be successful, updating diabetes knowledge must be a collaborative effort involving clinical care, research, and education. Mentoring and peer support also are useful methods for improving glycemia in the hospital setting.

Tools, Technologies, and Informatics: Supporting Glycemic Control

OBJECTIVE

To overcome the challenges involved in the adoption and implementation of standards of glycemic control in the inpatient setting.

METHODS

Three major barriers to effective glycemic control are examined, and solutions are discussed.

RESULTS

The diabetes care process occurs at several levels of the hospital system, including the community level. Each level must be considered when solutions for glycemic control are determined and implementation planned. Workflow coordination is another challenge; it addresses the end users who provide patient care and use information support. Informatics, or the application of information technology to healthcare, can facilitate system-level and workflow integration efforts to improve glycemic control.

CONCLUSION

Glycemic control can be achieved through coordinated and facilitated efforts at each level of the hospital system--individual, unit, and hospital-wide. Multidisciplinary team coordination, workflow integration, effective information sharing, and communication are required.

No Patient Left Behind: Evaluation and Design of Intravenous Insulin Infusion Algorithms

OBJECTIVE

To define the characteristics of performance evaluation, algorithm design, and regulation of insulin delivery by which professionals and the healthcare system might differentiate between methodologies for intravenous insulin infusion.

METHODS

Published performance criteria used in the assessment of intravenous insulin infusion algorithms are classified. The structure of intravenous insulin infusion formulae is reviewed, as are technologies that might lead to future improvement.

RESULTS

Among published reports, no standardization was discernable for description of algorithm characteristics or performance. Except for time-to-target and hypoglycemic episodes, measures using the patient as unit of observation are not employed consistently.

CONCLUSION

The healthcare system needs criteria for evaluation and minimal acceptable standards for assessing performance of any algorithm, decision support system, or closed-loop system for intravenous insulin infusion. Inclusion of patient-based measures is necessary to assess the ability of an algorithm to control variability between patients and within a given run. Standardization of performance reporting will help users to select appropriate methodologies.

Rationale, design, and methods for glycemic control in the Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation 2 Diabetes (BARI 2D) Trial

A major therapeutic question in considering accelerated atherogenesis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus is whether reducing insulin resistance, as a proximal defect of a host of proatherogenic abnormalities including hyperglycemia, will be superior for decreasing mortality and coronary artery disease (CAD) risk compared with treating hyperglycemia to overcome insulin resistance with insulin-providing agents. This question is highly relevant, since earlier targeted glycemic control trials utilizing conventional glucose-lowering strategies that increase insulin levels have generally failed to reduce CAD risk despite markedly reducing microvascular risk. The Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation 2 Diabetes (BARI 2D) trial seeks to determine whether primarily using an insulin-sensitizing strategy for treatment of type 2 diabetes is superior when compared with primarily using an insulin-providing strategy with regard to cardiovascular outcomes. This article presents the rationale, design, and methods being used to test the glycemic control hypothesis in BARI 2D.

Use of a standardized protocol to decrease medication errors and adverse events related to sliding scale insulin

PROBLEM

Sliding scale insulin (SSI) is frequently used for inpatient management of hyperglycemia and is associated with a large number of medication errors and adverse events including hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.

DESIGN

Observational before and after study evaluating the impact of implementation of a standardized SSI protocol and preprinted physician order form.

SETTING

University Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

STRATEGY FOR CHANGE

Guidelines for the use of SSI were created by an interdisciplinary committee and implemented in non-intensive care units. In addition, a preprinted physician order sheet was developed which included the guidelines and an option for ordering one of three standardized insulin sliding scales or a patient specific scale. EFFECT OF CHANGE: One year after implementation the physician order form was used for 91% of orders and, overall, 86% of SSI orders followed the guidelines. The number of prescribing errors found on chart review was reduced from 10.3 per 100 SSI patient-days at baseline to 1.2 at 1 year (p = 0.03). The number of hyperglycemia episodes 1 year after implementation decreased from 55.9 to 16.3 per 100 SSI patient-days.

LESSONS LEARNT

The protocol was readily accepted by hospital staff and was associated with decreased prescribing errors and decreased frequency of hyperglycemia.

Diabetes care in the hospital: is there clinical inertia?

BACKGROUND

Effective control of hospital glucose improves outcomes, but little is known about hospital management of diabetes.

OBJECTIVE

Assess hospital-based diabetes care delivery.

DESIGN

Retrospective chart review.

SETTING

Academic teaching hospital.

PATIENTS

Inpatients with a discharge diagnosis of diabetes or hyperglycemia were selected from electronic records. A random sample (5%, n = 90) was selected for chart review.

MEASUREMENTS

We determined the percentage of patients with diabetes or hyperglycemia documented in admission, daily progress, and discharge notes. We determined the proportion of cases with glucose levels documented in daily progress notes and with changes in hyperglycemia therapy recorded. The frequency of hypoglycemic and hyperglycemic events was also determined.

RESULTS

A diabetes diagnosis was recorded at admission in 96% of patients with preexisting disease, but daily progress notes mentioned diabetes in only 62% of cases and 60% of discharge notes; just 20% of discharges indicated a plan for diabetes follow-up. Most patients (86%) had bedside glucose measurements ordered, but progress notes tracked values for only 53%, and only 52% had a documented assessment of glucose severity. Hypoglycemic events were rare (11% of patients had at least one bedside glucose < 70 mg/dL), but hyperglycemia was common (71% of cases had at least one bedside glucose > 200 mg/dL). Despite the frequency of hyperglycemia, only 34% of patients had their therapy changed.

CONCLUSIONS

Practitioners were often aware of diabetes at admission, but the problem was often overlooked during hospitalization. The low rate of documentation and therapeutic change suggests the need for interventions to improve provider awareness and enhance inpatient diabetes care.

Inpatient management of diabetes and hyperglycemia among general medicine patients at a large teaching hospital

BACKGROUND

Because of the relationship between inpatient hyperglycemia and adverse patient outcomes, current guidelines recommend glucose levels less than 180 mg/dL in the non-ICU inpatient setting and the use of effective insulin protocols for appropriate patients.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the current state of glucose management on an academic hospitalist service and the relationship between insulin-ordering practices and glycemic control.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

Hospitalist-run general medicine service of an academic teaching hospital.

PATIENTS

107 consecutive patients with diabetes mellitus or inpatient hyperglycemia.

MEASUREMENTS

We collected data on up to 4 bedside glucose measurements per day, detailed clinical information, and all orders related to glucose management. The primary outcomes were rate of hyperglycemia (glucose > 180 mg/dL) per patient and mean glucose level per patient-day.

RESULTS

The mean rate of hyperglycemia was 31% of measurements per patient. Basal insulin was ordered for 43% of patients, and scheduled rapid- or short-acting insulin was ordered for 4% of patients. Sixty-five percent of patients who had at least 1 episode of hyper- or hypoglycemia had no change made to any insulin order during the first 5 days of the hospitalization. When adjusted for clinical factors, the use of sliding-scale insulin by itself was associated with a 20 mg/dL higher mean glucose level per patient-day.

CONCLUSIONS

Management of diabetes and hyperglycemia on a general medicine service showed several deficiencies in process and outcome. Possible targets for improvement include increased use of basal and nutritional insulin and daily insulin adjustment in response to hyperglycemia.

Diagnosing diabetes and preventing rehospitalizations: the urban diabetes study

BACKGROUND

Patients with diabetes frequently are hospitalized, and quality of inpatient care for diabetes is of great concern. Rehospitalization after hospital discharge is a frequent adverse outcome experienced by patients with diabetes.

OBJECTIVES

We assessed the frequency of and risk factors for rehospitalization among all Philadelphia residents with diabetes.

METHODS

Individual histories of hospitalization were ascertained from hospital discharge summaries for Philadelphia residents ages 25-84 who had at least 1 diabetes hospitalization from 1994 through 2001. Logistic regression was used to assess predictors of nonelective rehospitalization within 30 days of discharge, including recording of diabetes diagnosis.

RESULTS

Nonelective rehospitalizations within 30 days of hospital discharge were ascertained for 58,308 (20.0%) of 291,752 discharges. The proportion rehospitalized was 9.4% after a patient's first diabetes diagnosis hospitalization; after later discharges for which a diabetes diagnosis was not recorded, rehospitalizations occurred in 30.6% of all cases. The absence of a diabetes diagnosis was a highly significant predictor of rehospitalization after adjustment for age, year, gender, race/ethnicity, insurance status, admission type, severity code, length of stay, discharge status, and number of previous hospitalizations.

CONCLUSION

Failure to record a diabetes diagnoses in administrative hospital discharge data may reflect lack of attention to the critical needs of patients with diabetes who are being treated for other conditions, whereas the attention to patient education and follow-up planning for patients with incident diabetes diagnoses may reduce the risk of rehospitalization.

Intensive insulin therapy in the medical ICU

BACKGROUND

Intensive insulin therapy reduces morbidity and mortality in patients in surgical intensive care units (ICUs), but its role in patients in medical ICUs is unknown.

METHODS

In a prospective, randomized, controlled study of adult patients admitted to our medical ICU, we studied patients who were considered to need intensive care for at least three days. On admission, patients were randomly assigned to strict normalization of blood glucose levels (80 to 110 mg per deciliter [4.4 to 6.1 mmol per liter]) with the use of insulin infusion or to conventional therapy (insulin administered when the blood glucose level exceeded 215 mg per deciliter [12 mmol per liter], with the infusion tapered when the level fell below 180 mg per deciliter [10 mmol per liter]). There was a history of diabetes in 16.9 percent of the patients.

RESULTS

In the intention-to-treat analysis of 1200 patients, intensive insulin therapy reduced blood glucose levels but did not significantly reduce in-hospital mortality (40.0 percent in the conventional-treatment group vs. 37.3 percent in the intensive-treatment group, P=0.33). However, morbidity was significantly reduced by the prevention of newly acquired kidney injury, accelerated weaning from mechanical ventilation, and accelerated discharge from the ICU and the hospital. Although length of stay in the ICU could not be predicted on admission, among 433 patients who stayed in the ICU for less than three days, mortality was greater among those receiving intensive insulin therapy. In contrast, among 767 patients who stayed in the ICU for three or more days, in-hospital mortality in the 386 who received intensive insulin therapy was reduced from 52.5 to 43.0 percent (P=0.009) and morbidity was also reduced.

CONCLUSIONS

Intensive insulin therapy significantly reduced morbidity but not mortality among all patients in the medical ICU. Although the risk of subsequent death and disease was reduced in patients treated for three or more days, these patients could not be identified before therapy. Further studies are needed to confirm these preliminary data. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00115479.)

Barriers to Glucose Control in the Intensive Care Unit

Despite published evidence supporting glycemic control in critically ill patients, achieving euglycemia remains a problem in the intensive care units (ICUs) of many institutions. Clinicians seeking to implement the findings of published evidence in their practice face many potential barriers that make euglycemia difficult to achieve in patients in the ICU. Developing a comprehensive understanding of the many barriers to ICU glucose control can aide clinicians in attempting to change practice and improve patient outcomes. Barriers to ICU glucose control include the role of different health professionals in glucose management, communication among health care professionals, guidelines, protocols, ICU culture, fear of hypoglycemia, glucose monitoring, education, systems analysis, health care resources, nutritional needs, and drug utilization. By ensuring compliance, changing ICU culture, developing guidelines and protocols, and incorporating a multidisciplinary approach, clinicians can achieve glycemic control in the critically ill population and improve patient outcomes.

Diabetes and Stroke: Part two—Treating diabetes and stress hyperglycemia in hospitalized stroke patients

It is well established that strict glycemic control for the hospitalized stroke patient is associated with improved outcome compared with poor control. This is particularly true for the stroke patients because hyperglycemia can adversely affect ischemic damage. A blood sugar level of less than 110 mg/dL is recommended for critically ill patients and should be achieved by intravenous insulin administration in an intensive care unit setting. Many stroke patients are unable to swallow, and insulin requirement must be readjusted carefully to conform to the nutritional state of the patient. The transition from intravenous insulin to subcutaneous insulin or oral antihyperglycemic agents must be carefully monitored. Careful discharge planning of diabetic care for the stroke patient is necessary to prevent long-term sequelae of inadequate control.

Management of Diabetes During Acute Stroke and Inpatient Stroke Rehabilitation

OBJECTIVES

To summarize evidence on the impact of hyperglycemia on stroke outcomes and to present therapy algorithms for inpatient management in diabetic stroke patients.

DATA SOURCES

Guidelines for inpatient management of diabetes were reviewed and extracted from a technical review and recommendations from 2 national diabetes and endocrine organizations. MEDLINE database searches were conducted using key words: stroke, diabetes, hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, inpatient, hospitalized, treatment, outcomes, disability, self-management, and education.

STUDY SELECTION

Studies were selected that specifically addressed the impact of the following in stroke patients: hyperglycemia and diabetes on rehabilitation outcomes, management strategies for hyperglycemia and diabetes, and strategies for facilitating diabetes self-management.

DATA EXTRACTION

Two authors independently extracted data and management practices from selected articles and published practice guidelines.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Diabetes is prevalent in stroke patients and results in poorer inpatient hospital and rehabilitation outcomes. Management of diabetes in stroke patients is further complicated by impairments in mobility and vision, necessitating accommodation strategies and tools for self-management. Optimal management of hyperglycemia using insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents results in reduced morbidity and mortality among diabetic inpatients.

CONCLUSIONS

To achieve inpatient glycemic management targets, use of clinical management algorithms, self-management tools, and systems approaches such as diabetes management teams are useful.

Admission Hyperglycemia and Other Risk Factors as Predictors of Hospital Mortality in a Medical ICU Population

BACKGROUND

Tight glycemic control is recommended for patients in the ICU, as hyperglycemia is associated with increased morbidity and mortality.

DESIGN

Observational cohort of patients admitted to a 12-bed, inner-city, medical ICU (MICU).

SUBJECTS

A total of 1,185 of 1,506 patients from July 1, 1999, to December 31, 2002, selected based on a diagnosis other than diabetic ketoacidosis or glycemia > 280 mg/dL or < 80 mg/dL.

PURPOSES

To determine if the highest serum glucose level within 24 h after ICU admission is associated with increased hospital mortality when adjusted for confounders.

MEASUREMENTS

Age, gender, race, worst values within 24 h after ICU admission to construct the acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II score, and highest glucose within 24 h after ICU admission. Hospital mortality was the primary outcome. Admitting diagnosis, MICU length of stay (LOS), and hospital LOS were obtained. Glucose, albumin (n = 867), and lactic acid (n = 319) were stratified for analysis.

ANALYSIS

Univariate analysis identified factors included in the multivariate model.

RESULTS

Patients were predominantly African-American (79%) and men (56%; mean age, 49.2 years). The mean ICU admission highest glucose level was 139 +/- 43.7 mg/dL (+/- SD). MICU LOS and hospital LOS were 6.2 days and 12.9 days, respectively, and 50% of patients received mechanical ventilation. MICU and hospital mortality were 18% and 20%, respectively; standardized mortality ratio was 66%. On univariate analysis, survivors (n = 945) and nonsurvivors (n = 240) showed APACHE II score, mechanical ventilation, hypoalbuminemia, lactic acidemia, and logistic organ dysfunction system score to be hospital mortality predictors; however, the highest admission serum glucose level was not. Logistic regression estimated APACHE II score/per point (odds ratio, 1.06; 95% confidence interval, 1.02 to 1.11), mechanical ventilation (odds ratio, 3.06; 95% confidence interval, 1.34 to 6.96), severe hypoalbuminemia (< 2 g/dL) [odds ratio, 2.98; 95% confidence interval, 1.3 to 7.02], and severe lactic acidemia (> or = 8 mmol/L) [odds ratio, 7.3; 95% confidence interval, 2.14 to 24.9], but not ICU admission hyperglycemia, to be associated with hospital mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Conventional factors of disease severity, but not highest glucose value during the first 24 h after ICU admission, predict hospital mortality in an inner-city MICU.

Nutrition Assessment and Management of Left Ventricular Assist Device Patients

Nutrition evaluation and support is an integral component of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) therapy. Malnutrition in the LVAD patient contributes to a host of post-operative problems, such as infection and limited functional capacity, which compromise long-term outcomes. Comprehensive pre-operative evaluation of the LVAD patient should include a nutrition assessment and formalized plan to initiate and advance nutrition support while addressing the metabolic imbalances associated with heart failure. An interdisciplinary approach, including a nutrition support team, is desirable to manage these patients effectively. This article reviews essential aspects regarding nutrition management of these patients.

Point-of-Care Testing Error: Sources and Amplifiers, Taxonomy, Prevention Strategies, and Detection Monitors

Context.—In a survey performed 4 years ago, testing venues doing only point-of-care testing (POCT) made up 78% of sites for patient testing licensed under federal regulations.

Objectives.—To identify sources of POCT error, to present a classification of such errors, to suggest strategies to prevent errors, and to describe monitors that assess and reduce the frequency of errors.

Design.—To identify sources of POCT error, large studies of error among US Federal Certificate of Waiver laboratories (CoWs) and practitioner-performed microscopy certificate holders were reviewed. To facilitate investigation and management of POCT error, a taxonomy of such errors (modified from a classification previously published by Gerald Kost) was used to identify 4 steps with error potential in each of the 3 phases (ie, preanalytic, analytic, and postanalytic) of the POCT process. To prevent observed POCT errors, 4 strategies are suggested: direct observation of instrument/method functionality, structured observation of method performance, proficiency testing/use of relevant test scenarios, and autonomation. To assess frequency of errors, a quartet of indices are introduced as detection monitors: order documentation, patient identification, specimen adequacy, and result integrity.

Results.—Three sources of POCT error were identified: operator incompetence, nonadherence to test procedures, and use of uncontrolled reagents and equipment. Three other characteristics of many point-of-care tests amplify their risk of error: incoherent regulation, rapid availability of results, and the results' immediate therapeutic implications. Two members of the quartet of detection monitors, order documentation and specimen adequacy, are relatively difficult to measure and are controversial, but the other 2, patient identification and result integrity, are easier to assess and are relatively widely accepted.

Conclusions.—Point-of-care testing errors are relatively common, their frequency is amplified by incoherent regulation, and their likelihood of affecting patient care is amplified by the rapid availability of POCT results and the results' immediate therapeutic implications. The modified Kost taxonomy offers a reasonable approach to the identification of POCT errors. Direct observation of test functionality, structured observation of test performance, and testing the competence of POCT operators, as well as autonomation of devices, are strategies to prevent such errors. In this context, we suggest monitoring POCT order documentation, patient identification, specimen integrity, and result reporting to detect errors in this sort of testing.

A case of type 2 diabetes with a large abscess of the gastric wall successfully treated with a glycemic control and systemic antibiotics

A case of type 2 diabetic patient, a 67-year-old woman, with a large abscess of the gastric wall which seemed to be a primary lesion is described for the first time. Fortunately, patient was successfully treated with both the maintenance of a good glycemic control and systemic antibiotics without laparotomy or drainage. Thus, a tight glycemic control and awareness of this disease should be reemphasized, and this may improve the prognosis of this rare and fatal one, even a poorly-controlled diabetes.

Hyperglycaemia and mortality of diabetic patients with candidaemia

AIMS

To determine whether the degree of hyperglycaemia has an impact on in-hospital mortality in diabetic patients with candidaemia.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of 87 diabetic patients with candidaemia admitted between June 1995 and June 2003 was carried out at two medical centres. Patients were stratified into two groups: those with moderate hyperglycaemia (7 days post-candidaemia mean blood glucose < 13.9 mmol/l) and those with severe hyperglycaemia (7 days post-candidaemia mean blood glucose > or = 13.9 mmol/l). A stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to determine whether the degree of hyperglycaemia was a significant predictor of mortality.

RESULTS

During the follow-up period from admission till discharge, 34 (39.1%) patients had died. Nine (69.2%) of 13 patients with severe hyperglycaemia have died while 25 (33.8%) of 74 patients with moderate hyperglycaemia have died. Multivariate analysis identified three independent determinants of death; Apache II score > or = 23 [OR 8.1, 95% CI (2.6, 25.3), P = 0.0003], mean blood glucose levels 7 days post-candidaemia > or = 13.9 mmol/l [OR 6.8, 95% CI (1.2, 38.2), P = 0.03], and mechanical ventilation [OR 6.5, 95% CI (2.21), P = 0.03].

CONCLUSION

Severe hyperglycaemia is an important marker of increased mortality among hospitalized diabetic patients with candidaemia.

Optimizing Hospital Use of Intravenous Insulin Therapy: Improved Management of Hyperglycemia and Error Reduction With a New Nomogram

OBJECTIVE

To assess the efficacy and safety of intravenous (IV) insulin administration with use of our institution's old protocol (pre-nomogram phase) as compared with our new insulin nomogram (post-nomogram phase), which titrates insulin dose based on the rate of change of plasma glucose values and uses multipliers to determine the new insulin infusion rate.

METHODS

Hospitalized adults receiving an IV insulin infusion in our tertiary care medical center were enrolled in this study after informed consent was obtained. The study was an observational analysis conducted before and after implementation of the new insulin infusion nomogram. Measurements included episodes of hypoglycemia and incidence of the following errors in the insulin infusion process: (1) episodes of documented failure to increase insulin infusion rate despite persistent hyperglycemia and (2) number of times the IV infusion was stopped without subcutaneous administration of insulin.

RESULTS

Overall, 66 patients were analyzed (38 in the pre-nomogram phase and 28 in the post-nomogram phase). The new nomogram reduced by nearly 3-fold (from 0.89 +/- 0.68 to 0.36 +/- 0.49 occurrence per patient per 24 hours; P<0.001) the mean incidence of failure to give insulin subcutaneously before discontinuation of IV insulin infusion. Moreover, the nomogram nearly eliminated the error of caregiver nonresponsiveness to persistent hyperglycemia: mean incidence 0.39 +/- 0.65 occurrence per patient per 24 hours before implementation of the new nomogram versus 0.02 +/- 0.09 afterward (P<0.002). There was no statistically significant difference in episodes of hypoglycemia between the 2 study groups.

CONCLUSION

Safe IV administration of insulin through error prevention is essential. Implementation of a new IV insulin infusion nomogram, which adjusts insulin infusion using multipliers, reduces errors and improves glycemic control without increasing hypoglycemic episodes.

Admission glucose and mortality in elderly patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction: implications for patients with and without recognized diabetes

BACKGROUND

The relationship between admission glucose levels and outcomes in older diabetic and nondiabetic patients with acute myocardial infarction is not well defined.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We evaluated a national sample of elderly patients (n=141,680) hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction from 1994 to 1996. Admission glucose was analyzed as a categorical (< or =110, >110 to 140, >140 to 170, >170 to 240, >240 mg/dL) and continuous variable for its association with mortality in patients with and without recognized diabetes. A substantial proportion of hyperglycemic patients (eg, 26% of those with glucose >240 mg/dL) did not have recognized diabetes. Fewer hyperglycemic patients without known diabetes received insulin during hospitalization than diabetics with similar glucose levels (eg, glucose >240 mg/dL, 22% versus 73%; P<0.001). Higher glucose levels were associated with greater risk of 30-day mortality in patients without known diabetes (for glucose range from < or =110 to >240 mg/dL, 10% to 39%) compared with diabetics (range, 16% to 24%; P for interaction <0.001). After multivariable adjustment, higher glucose levels continued to be associated with a graded increase in 30-day mortality in patients without known diabetes (referent, glucose < or =110 mg/dL; range from glucose >110 to 140 mg/dL: hazard ratio [HR], 1.17; 95% CI, 1.11 to 1.24; to glucose >240 mg/dL: HR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.75 to 2.00). In contrast, among diabetic patients, greater mortality risk was observed only in those with glucose >240 mg/dL (HR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.17 to 1.50 versus glucose < or =110 mg/dL; P for interaction <0.001). One-year mortality results were similar.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated glucose is common, rarely treated, and associated with increased mortality risk in elderly acute myocardial infarction patients, particularly those without recognized diabetes.

Eliminating inpatient sliding-scale insulin: a reeducation project with medical house staff

OBJECTIVE

We studied a systematic program to reeducate our medical house officers on how to manage inpatient hyperglycemia without the use of sliding-scale insulin (SSI).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Patients admitted to the general medical service with diabetes or a blood glucose >140 mg/dl were included. HbA(1c) was measured in all patients, and therapy was modified if the HbA(1c) was >7.0%. For each 24 h on call, two house officers were responsible for all glucose management for their team's patients and rounded with a teaching endocrinologist twice daily for 2 weeks. Oral agent or insulin therapy was modified using blood glucoses and HbA(1c). All patients who required insulin therapy were treated with basal and bolus insulin, usually NPH and regular, adjusted twice daily.

RESULTS

During 8 weeks, 88 patients were identified and 16 house officers were instructed. The mean duration of diabetes was 10.4 years. Mean HbA(1c) level was 8.7%, and 48% of patients had HbA(1c) >8%. All patients with HbA(1c) >7% had diabetes therapy intensified. Overall 80% had their diabetes therapy changed by discharge. Compared with 98 historical control subjects, significantly fewer study patients had episodes of hyperglycemia, and a subgroup followed for 12 months showed a decrease in HbA(1c) from 10.1 to 8%.

CONCLUSIONS

Medical history, blood glucose, and HbA(1c) testing can effectively identify patients with inpatient hyperglycemia. Using direct ward-based teaching and a widely disseminated pocket set of guidelines, house officers can be taught to effectively and safely manage inpatient hyperglycemia without the use of SSI.

An 18-year-old patient with type 1 diabetes undergoing surgery

A young patient with type 1 diabetes needs an elective operation under general anesthesia. How will you manage his diabetes before, during, and after the surgery?

Hyperglycemia in the Hospital Setting: The Case for Improved Control among Non-Diabetics

OBJECTIVE:

To review studies on the role of hyperglycemia in acutely ill adults, regardless of diabetes diagnosis, and the impact of glucose control on health outcomes.

DATA SOURCES:

Searches on Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM), and PubMed MEDLINE, limited to articles written in English, trials conducted on adult subjects, and material published between 1994 and April 2004. Search words included the major MeSH term hyperglycemia and title words glucose, hyperglycemia/hyperglycemic, or insulin therapy, with text words admission, hospitalized, inhospital, or inpatient.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION:

All articles identified from the data sources were evaluated, and all information deemed relevant was included in this review.

DATA SYNTHESIS:

Hyperglycemia, even in patients without diabetes, has been shown to be detrimental among inpatients in medical and surgical units, as well as in critical care. A review of 25 outcomes studies indicated that the majority of research on this topic used retrospective or prospective cohort designs; only 2 were conducted as randomized controlled studies. In general, the findings demonstrated negative impact on outcomes among various patient populations with hyperglycemia including increased lengths of stay, health complications, utilization of resources, and risk of mortality.

CONCLUSIONS:

Studies report that hyperglycemia is a common but detrimental condition and that better control in the hospital setting decreases short- and long-term risk of mortality, illness complications, hospital lengths of stay, and healthcare costs. Increased efforts to treat hyperglycemia and screen for diabetes are needed in the hospital setting. Future studies on cost-effective approaches to glucose control are recommended.

Hospital management of diabetes

The evidence continues to strengthen our understanding that improved glycemic control with the use of insulin therapy may significantly improve morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients with hyperglycemia, with or without a previous diagnosis of diabetes. However, many questions remain concerning the impact and relative contributions of blood glucose and insulin per se. Nevertheless, the publication of numerous and consistent studies have made it clear that the topic of glycemic management in the hospital requires a larger priority among clinicians caring for these patients. The recently published guidelines by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists are the first formal recommendations on this topic,but national guidelines for blood glucose levels cannot take into account all of the different challenges facing different hospitals. This suggests that each institution will require individualization of protocols even though the ultimate metabolic goals are identical. Furthermore, it is not realistic to expect those unfamiliar with diabetes therapy to appreciate all of the nuances and vagaries of insulin treatment. Like any medical treatment, a significant amount of time will need to be invested by the providers involved with the.care of these patients before a mastery of the therapy can be achieved. Nevertheless, because the rewards to our patients can be significant, we need to strive to improve the systems where we work. Individual clinicians with vast experience in diabetes care cannot be successful for the inpatient with diabetes unless the hospital has systems in place to effectively and efficiently facilitate the management of the metabolic needs of this population. The main challenge now is the safe and effective implementation of these guidelines in both small and large hospitals given the limited level of re-sources available in today's medical environment. Therefore, our single most important recommendation is to ensure that all clinicians involved in the management of these patients are in agreement about general philosophies of diabetes management. We would recommend that there are "champions" for each discipline: endocrinology, cardiology, anesthesiology, surgery, nursing,and pharmacy, all of which have developed hospital-specific guidelines for glycemic management. These recommendations can be slowly adapted, one unit at a time, until the entire hospital has transitioned to a more "diabetes-friendly" environment. The ultimate goal of well-controlled glycemia with minimal hypoglycemia should be possible for most hospitals, and we hope this review will assist clinicians in achieving this objective. We await additional outcome research with carefully controlled studies to confirm the value of these recommendations at different levels of glycemic control. We believe that we can already state with confidence that the preliminary evidence shows that, like outpatient diabetes management,metabolic control matters during acute illness.

Glycemic management of type 2 diabetes: an emerging strategy with oral agents, insulins, and combinations

The many antihyperglycemic preparations are best used for type 2 diabetes in a logical sequence, using combinations of agents, with clear targets for glycemic control. On the basis of long familiarity, proven benefit and known side effects, and low cost, the sulfonylureas, metformin, and insulin still deserve to be the standard treatments. As shown in the central shaded area of Fig. 4, standard treatment begins with monotherapy and progresses to oral combination therapy and then to two oral agents plus basal insulin. Several triggers for deviation from the standard methods are identified (see Fig. 4). The incidence of each of the conditions that require early individualized treatment has not been studied, but it seems reasonable to estimate no more than 10% each for a strongly symptomatic presentation, inability to use a sulfonylurea or metformin, inability to use insulin, or an early need for prandial therapy. If this estimate is correct, approximately two thirds of patients who are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should do well with standard therapy for up to 10 years using the standard methods shown. Eventually, many more will need individualized treatment to maintain glycemic control. This scheme is certain to evolve as further information on the nonglycemic benefits (or hazards) of the various therapies appears and as new treatments are released. Notably, agents that mimic or potentiate the effects of gastrointestinal peptides, such as amylin and GLP- 1 analogues and dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitors, are likely to alter the current algorithm. For now, systematic application of the scheme (see Fig. 4) should improve the success of treatment greatly from its currently disappointing level.

Patient safety in point-of-care testing

In the authors' view, the following four points compose the current state of the question of patient safety in point-of-care testing: The collision of definitions used in this article with actual practice in point-of-care testing is evidence for the likelihood of error in this genre of clinical tests. Uncovering of latent conditions conducive to error is the objective for investigations of this likelihood. A modified Kost classification serves as a basis for determining where latent conditions appear in the point-of-care testing process and as a framework in which to recognize these errors in an error classification process. Errors in point-of-care testing are likely to arise most frequently in the steps of patient identification, specimen collection, and result reporting. In the absence of an adequate evidence base, the authors recommend as measures to build a culture of patient safety in point-of-care testing the components of the standard model of safe laboratory testing. This model inculcates the laboratory ethos of test operator competence, procedure adherence, quality control, and result integrity. These objectives can be achieved by integrating operator training, program supervision, competence assessment, and proficiency demonstration into an institution's or practice's point-of-care testing program. Based on the authors' hypothesis that medical errors in point-of-care testing, which lead to preventable adverse events most often arise in three testing processes--patient identification, specimen collation, and result reporting--they recommend ongoing monitors of these critical steps. If they are wrong, such monitoring will disprove their hypothesis; if they are right, it will measurably reduce medical error in point-of-care testing.

Type 2 Diabetes and Chronic Systolic Heart Failure

Diabetes is a chronic progressive endocrinopathy associated with significant macrovascular and microvascular complications as well as cardiomyopathy and heart failure (HF). Diabetes and chronic systolic HF result in similar activation of pathologic neurohormonal pathways. When diabetes and HF coexist, morbidity and mortality significantly increase. This article reviews important clinical issues in the care of patients with diabetes and HF. A review of pertinent pathophysiologic principles is provided, followed by a discussion of the treatment issues related to this population. Treatment issues include vascular disease risk factor modification, HF pharmacotherapy, glycemic management, and control of other common comorbid conditions.