Management of hospitalized patients with mild to moderate diabetic ketoacidosis using a continuous insulin infusion protocol on a medical surgical ward and observation level of care: A retrospective cohort study.

Although the practice of using rapid-acting subcutaneous insulin for the management of mild-to-moderate diabetic ketoacidosis is becoming increasingly popular, the continuous insulin infusion remains widely utilized, and its real-world applicability and safety on a medical surgical unit (Med Surg) and observation level of care are unclear. We assessed whether a continuous insulin infusion protocol for mild-to-moderate diabetic ketoacidosis on Med Surg/observation level of care over a 6.5-year period was associated with adverse outcomes. A retrospective cohort study of adults hospitalized with mild-to-moderate diabetic ketoacidosis was conducted at 2 community hospitals in Northern California, USA, from January 2014 to May 2020. Demographic and clinical variables were collected using an electronic health record. Admission to Med Surg/observation was compared to intensive care unit admission for the outcomes of 30-day readmission, presence of hypoglycemia, rate of hypoglycemic episodes, in-hospital and 30-day mortality, and length of stay using bivariate analysis. Among 227 hospital encounters (mean age 41 years, 52.9% women, 79.3% type 1 diabetes, 97.4% utilization of continuous insulin infusion), 19.4% were readmitted within 30 days, and 20.7% developed hypoglycemia. For Med Surg/observation encounters compared to the intensive care unit, there were no statistically significant differences in the risk of readmission (RR 1.48, 95% CI, 0.86-2.52), hypoglycemia (RR 1.17, 95% CI, 0.70-1.95), or increased length of stay (RR 0.71, 95% CI, 0.55-1.02); there was a lower risk of hypoglycemic events during hospitalization (RR 0.69, 95% CI, 0.54-0.96). Continuous insulin infusion utilization may be a safe option for treatment of mild-to-moderate diabetic ketoacidosis on Med Surg/observation level of care. Further investigation is needed.

Interdisciplinary treatment for vestibular dysfunction: the effectiveness of mindfulness, cognitive-behavioral techniques, and vestibular rehabilitation.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether an interdisciplinary program for vestibular patients improved health outcomes and health care utilization. STUDY DESIGN: Case series with chart review. SETTING: Outpatient neurotology clinic. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Patients (N = 167) with dizziness attended an interdisciplinary neurotology clinic; 129 were offered group treatment. After an introductory session, group treatment included 5 sessions incorporating mindfulness, cognitive-behavioral techniques, and vestibular rehabilitation. Physical and emotional functioning, depression,anxiety, dizziness, impairment, coping, skill use, and patient satisfaction were measured with rating scales pre- and post-group treatment. Data from 51 patients (male/female = 14/37; age range, 25-82 years) were analyzed with paired t tests or nonparametric tests. Logistic regression analyzed predictors of outcome and utilization for 116 patients (male/female = 81/35; age range, 11-86 years) attending the interdisciplinary clinic, introductory session, and/or group. RESULTS: After group treatment, patients reported better mood (P = .0482); better physical (P = .0006) and mental (P = .0183) health; better functionality, coping, and skill use (Ps< .0001); less impairment (P < .0001); and fewer limitations from dizziness (P < .0001). Higher pretreatment levels of depression (P = .0216), poorer initial mental (P = .0164) or physical (P = .0059) health, and peripheral diagnosis (P = .0220) predicted better outcome. Group treatment decreased utilization more than the interdisciplinary clinic with (P = .0183) or without (P = .0196) the introductory session; 78% of patients with any level of participation showed less utilization. Clinic patients had fewer radiology procedures than group patients (P = .0365). Patients were highly satisfied with the program and found it more effective than previous treatment. CONCLUSION: Interdisciplinary treatment improves patient coping, functionality, and satisfaction and decreases overall health care utilization in vestibular patients.