Effect Of A Targeted Glycemic Management Program On Provider Response To Inpatient Hyperglycemia

ObjectiveTo report the results of implementation of a Targeted Glycemic Management (TGM) Service pilot, with the goals of improving clinician awareness of available inpatient glycemic management protocols and improving responsiveness to and frequency of severe hyperglycemia.MethodsPatients with a blood glucose (BG) level ≥ 300 mg/dL who were hospitalized on a general medicine unit during three 12-week periods before, during, and after the TGM pilot were compared for responsiveness by the primary team, percentage of subsequent BG measurements between 80 and 180 mg/dL, and frequency of subsequent severe hyperglycemia (BG levels ≥ 300 mg/dL) and hypoglycemia (BG values < 70 mg/dL).ResultsIn comparison with pre-TGM and post-TGM periods, more patients during the TGM pilot had a modification of their glycemic regimen in response to severe hyperglycemia (49% versus 73% versus 50%, before, during, and after TGM, respectively; P = .044), and the percentage of patients with ≥ 50% of subsequent BG measurements in the desired range (27% versus 53% versus 32%; P = .035) was greatest during the TGM period. The incidence of subsequent severe hyperglycemia (20% versus 9% versus 16%; P = .0004) was lowest during the TGM period; however, the incidence of hypoglycemia was similar in all 3 periods (3.9% versus 3.7% versus 3.7%).ConclusionThese results indicate that a TGM Service can favorably influence glycemic management practices and improve glycemic control, but ongoing intervention is necessary for maintenance of these results. (Endocr Pract. 2011;17:552-557)