Evaluation of Nurse-Driven Management of Hypoglycemia In Critically Ill Patients.

BACKGROUND: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients experience hypoglycemia at nearly 4 times the rate seen in non-ICU counterparts. Although inpatient hypoglycemia management relies on nurse-driven protocols, protocol adherence varies between institutions and units. OBJECTIVE: To compare hypoglycemia management between ICU and non-ICU patients in an institution with high adherence to a hypoglycemia protocol. METHODS: This secondary analysis used retrospective medical record data. Cases were ICU patients aged 18 years or older with at least 1 hypoglycemic event (blood glucose level < 70 mg/dL); non-ICU controls were matched by age within 10 years, sex, and comorbidities. Time from initial hypoglycemic blood glucose level to subsequent blood glucose recheck, number of interventions, time to normoglycemia, and number of spontaneous hypoglycemic events were compared between groups. RESULTS: The sample included 140 ICU patients and 280 non-ICU controls. Median time to blood glucose recheck did not differ significantly between groups (19 minutes for both groups). Difference in mean number of interventions before normoglycemia was statistically but not clinically significant (ICU, 1.12; non-ICU, 1.35; P < .001). Eighty-four percent of ICU patients and 86% of non-ICU patients returned to normoglycemia within 1 hour. Median time to normoglycemia was lower in ICU patients than non-ICU patients (21.5 vs 26 minutes; P = .01). About 25% of patients in both groups experienced a spontaneous hypoglycemic event. CONCLUSION: Adherence to nurse-driven hypoglycemia protocols can be equally effective in ICU and non-ICU patients. Further research is needed to determine protocol adherence barriers and patient characteristics that influence response to hypoglycemia interventions.

Nursing interventions for people with type 1 diabetes and frequent hypoglycaemia.

Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong condition which affects all age ranges, for reasons unknown, and the UK has one of the highest incidences of this complex condition in the world. Type 1 diabetes is caused by autoimmune damage to the insulin-producing ß-cells found in the pancreatic islet cells, leading to severe insulin deficiency. People with diabetes need to achieve a target glyosylated haemoglobin level to avoid macro- and microvascular complications, but there is the associated risk of hypoglycaemic events. These can vary in severity and consequences but will likely always cause worry for the person living with diabetes. There are many risk factors and reasons to be explored when looking at hypoglycaemia. This case study explores the nursing interventions that can be safely worked through and prioritised, within the community setting, to allow people with diabetes to be safe from severe hypoglycaemia, thus improving their quality of life and safety, as well as reducing costs for the NHS.

Addressing Hospital-Acquired Hypoglycemia.

BACKGROUND: Hospitalized patients who have diabetes often experience hospital-acquired hypoglycemia, a potentially serious adverse event; as a result, management of this condition has become an important quality of care indicator in the inpatient environment. A growing body of research and evidence-based clinical guidelines support proper timing of point of care (POC) blood glucose (BG) measurements, mealtime insulin administration, and meal delivery to reduce the incidence of both hypoglycemic and hyperglycemic events. Monitoring and improving the timing of these three patient care interventions are recognized as a crucial step in the safe and effective care of patients with diabetes. PURPOSE: The objective of the QI project was to improve the timing of mealtime insulin administration related to bedside BG monitoring and meal delivery for patients with diabetes who receive mealtime insulin; a secondary goal was to decrease the number of episodes of recurrent hypoglycemia. The overall strategy was to change staff members' approach to mealtime insulin management from a series of individual tasks to a process-oriented collaborative approach. METHODS: Nurses on the medical-surgical unit at one hospital within a large health system formed a QI team with staff members in information technology and food and nutrition services. The team implemented an eight-week QI pilot project (July 3 to August 26, 2017) using a multidisciplinary approach to coordinate between POC BG measurement, mealtime insulin administration, and meal delivery. RESULTS: More than two years after the hospital-wide rollout of the practice change, follow-up analysis has shown that, on both noncritical and critical care units, recurrent hypoglycemia has decreased. For example, comparing data obtained in a six-month period before the pilot project (November 2016 through April 2017) with the same six-month period in 2018 and 2019, more than a year after the pilot project, the percentage of patient stays (admissions) on noncritical care units in which there was a recurrence of hypoglycemia fell from 41.8% (of 1,162 total hospital admissions) to 35.1% (of 792 total hospital admissions); similarly, the percentage of patient stays on critical care units in which recurrent hypoglycemia occurred decreased from 36.8% to 22.8%. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that ensuring a consistent 30-minute window between POC BG measurement and meal delivery enabled nursing staff to perform timely POC BG measurements and administer a more optimal mealtime insulin dose. Increasing interdisciplinary communication, collaboration, and awareness of best practice guidelines relating to proper mealtime insulin administration resulted in a sustained improvement in timing between POC BG measurements and mealtime insulin administration and between mealtime insulin administration and meal delivery.

Reduction in cardiovascular mortality following severe hypoglycemia in individuals with type 2 diabetes: the role of a pragmatic and structured intervention : Structured intervention for community hypoglycemia.

BACKGROUND: Mortality in individuals with diabetes with severe hypoglycemia requiring ambulance services intervention is high and it is unclear whether this is modifiable. Our aim was to characterise this high-risk group and assess the impact of nurse-led intervention on mortality. METHODS: In this single centre study, patients with diabetes and hypoglycemia requiring ambulance call out were randomized to nurse led support (intensive arm) or managed using existing pathways (standard arm). A third group agreed to have their data collected longitudinally (observational arm). The primary outcome was all-cause mortality comparing intensive with combined standard and observational arms as well as standard arm alone. RESULTS: Of 828 individuals identified, 323 agreed to participate with 132 assigned to intensive, 130 to standard and 61 to observational arms. Mean follow up period was 42.6 ± 15.6 months. Mortality in type 1 diabetes (n = 158) was similar across study arms but in type 2 diabetes (n = 160) this was reduced to 33% in the intensive arm compared with 51% in the combined arm (p = 0.025) and 50% in the standard arm (p = 0.06). Cardiovascular deaths, the leading cause of mortality, was lower in the intensive arm compared with combined and standard study arms (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Medium-term mortality following severe hypoglycemia requiring the assistance of emergency services is high in those with type 2 diabetes. In individuals with type 2 diabetes, nurse-led individualized intervention reduces cardiovascular mortality compared with standard care. Large-scale multicentre studies are warranted to further investigate this approach. Trial registration The trial was retrospectively registered on http://www.clinicaltrials.gov with reference NCT04422145.

Pós-operatório de paciente oncológico em jejum prolongado: diagnósticos e intervenções de enfermagem / Post-operative oncological patients in prolonged fast: nursing diagnosis and interventions / Postoperatorio del paciente oncológico bajo ayuno prolongado: diagnósticos e intervenciones de enfermería

Objetivo: identificar os principais diagnósticos de enfermagem e suas respectivas intervenções em uma população de pacientes oncológicos submetidos a jejum prolongado no pós-operatório. Método: estudo descritivo, documental e transversal. O cenário do estudo foi um hospital federal de ensino no Rio de Janeiro, caracterizado como UNACON. Os dados foram coletados durante 60 dias em prontuários referentes aos anos de 2016 a 2018. Foram analisados 61 prontuários que atendiam aos critérios de inclusão e 208 complicações foram apresentadas pelos pacientes oncológicos. Resultados: Foram definidos oito diagnósticos de enfermagem, entre os quais os mais evidentes foram: Nutrição desequilibrada: menor que as necessidades corporais e Risco de glicemia instável. Onze intervenções de enfermagem foram definidas em consonância com a Taxonomia de NANDA-I e buscaram ser de fácil aplicação na prática assistencial de enfermagem. Conclusão: foi evidenciada uma ampla gama de diagnósticos e intervenções de enfermagem a qual se recomenda sua adoção no processo de enfermagem.

Objective: to identify the main nursing diagnoses and respective interventions in a population of cancer patients undergoing prolonged postoperative fasting. Method: descriptive, cross-sectional, documentary study. The study scenario was a federal teaching hospital in Rio de Janeiro, characterized as a high-complexity oncological facility. Data were collected for 60 days from medical records for the years 2016 to 2018. In the 61 medical records that met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed, cancer patients presented 208 complications. Results: eight diagnoses were established, the most in evidence being: nutrition imbalance: less than body requirements; and risk of unstable blood glucose level. Eleven nursing interventions, designed to be easily applied in nursing care practice, were specified in line with the NANDA-I Taxonomy. Conclusion: the wide range of nursing diagnoses and interventions evidenced are recommended for adoption in the nursing process.

Objetivo: identificar los principales diagnósticos de enfermería y sus respectivas intervenciones en una población de pacientes oncológicos sometidos a ayuno postoperatorio prolongado. Método: estudio descriptivo, transversal, documental. El escenario de estudio fue un hospital universitario federal en Río de Janeiro, caracterizado como una instalación oncológica de alta complejidad. Se recolectaron datos durante 60 días de las historias clínicas de los años 2016 a 2018. En las 61 historias clínicas que cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión y fueron analizadas, los pacientes con cáncer presentaron 208 complicaciones. Resultados: se establecieron ocho diagnósticos, siendo los más evidentes: desequilibrio nutricional: menor que los requerimientos corporales; y riesgo de niveles inestables de glucosa en sangre. Once intervenciones de enfermería, diseñadas para ser fácilmente aplicadas en la práctica del cuidado de enfermería, fueron especificadas de acuerdo con la Taxonomía NANDA-I. Conclusión: la amplia gama de diagnósticos e intervenciones de enfermería evidenciados se recomiendan para su adopción en el proceso de enfermería.

Hypoglycemia in High-Risk Infants Within the Immediate Postnatal Period.

The incidence of hypoglycemia in the immediate postnatal period is rising because of the increasing rate of preterm births, maternal diabetes, and maternal obesity. Severe hypoglycemia has been considered a risk factor for neuronal cell death and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests a goal of ≥45 mg/dL (≥2.5 mmol/L) for infants who are asymptomatic within the first 48 hours. The Pediatric Endocrine Society (PES) suggests that infants who are unable to maintain their blood glucose >50 mg/dL (>2.77 mmol/L) within the first 48 hours or >60 mg/dL (>3.33 mmol/L) after the first 48 hours are at risk for persistent hypoglycemia. While there is disagreement for target glucose levels within the first 48 hours, both the AAP and the PES suggest further investigation for persistent hypoglycemia beyond 48-72 hours, which is beyond the scope of this article. However, in the immediate postnatal period, much can be gained with familiarization of the two guidelines, as well as current management techniques. This article presents current definitions and treatment modalities for management of hypoglycemia in infants considered at high risk in the immediate postnatal period.

Comparison of Routine and Computer-Guided Glucose Management for Glycemic Control in Critically Ill Patients.

BACKGROUND: Glycemic control is crucial for reducing morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients. A standardized approach to glycemic control using a computer-guided protocol may help maintain blood glucose level within a target range and prevent human-induced medical errors. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of a computer-guided glucose management protocol for glycemic control in intensive care patients. METHODS: This controlled, open-label implementation study involved 66 intensive care patients: 33 in the intervention group and 33 in the control group. The blood glucose level target range was established as 120 to 180 mg/dL. The control group received the clinic's routine glycemic monitoring approach, and the intervention group received monitoring using newly developed glycemic control software. At the end of the study, nurse perceptions and satisfaction were determined using a questionnaire. RESULTS: The rates of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia were lower and the blood glucose level was more successfully maintained in the target range in the intervention group than in the control group (P < .001). The time to achieve the target range was shorter and less insulin was used in the intervention group than in the control group (P < .05). Nurses reported higher levels of satisfaction with the computerized protocol, which they found to be more effective and reliable than routine clinical practice. CONCLUSIONS: The computerized protocol was more effective than routine clinical practice in achieving glycemic control. It was also associated with higher nurse satisfaction levels.

Optimizing adult diabetes care in community health.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Diabetes mellitus is an epidemic. Many organizations and states have established reportable quality care measures. Our organization explored novel ways of chronic disease management. The purpose of this article is to decrease the percentage of patients with a hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) more than 8%. METHODS: Prospective, pre- and postintervention, quality improvement project was implemented in the Employee and Community Health Clinic using an endocrinology nurse practitioner (NP) to coordinate and provide care to adult patients with diabetes. A convenience sample of 103 patients with diabetes was selected for this project. Patients were excluded from the project if they did not complete preintervention satisfaction surveys or did not sign research release forms. CONCLUSIONS: One hundred three patients were referred, and two met exclusion criteria. Of those patients, 51% were female with an average HbA1c of 9.1%. Eighty-one of the referred patients attended their appointment. The patients who sought care had a reduction in HbA1c from 9.0% ± 1.8% to 8.3% ± 1.7% (p value < .001). Patients who did not appear had no significant change in their HbA1c from 9.8% ± 3.1% to 9.4% ± 2.7% (p value = .61). IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Incorporating specialty trained NPs can lead to improvements in HbA1c, patient-reported control of diabetes, and a reduction in the frequency of hypoglycemia.

A social media intervention to improve hypoglycemia management at a multicenter hospital: a quality improvement pilot for clinical nurses.

BACKGROUND: Hypoglycemia poses significant risk to inpatients. Nursing management of hypoglycemia is a challenge, despite established best practice guidelines. Social media is an effective tool for sharing information and could overcome barriers to clinical education at a multicenter hospital. AIMS: The purpose of this quality improvement intervention was to create and disseminate social media posts about best practices in hypoglycemia management. DESIGN: An unmatched pre-and post-survey assessed nursing knowledge of hypoglycemia management. METHODS: Social media posts were created to visually outline the steps for hypoglycemia management over 2 weeks, across a nursing social media platform. We assessed the reach of the posts via Facebook and a survey. RESULTS: The posts reached 2962 users during the first week, and 1491 users the second week. CONCLUSIONS: A social media intervention can have a substantial reach and distribute information across a multicenter hospital. Additional study is needed to determine what factors could support an increase in nursing knowledge through a social media campaign.

Psychometric Properties of the Turkish Version of the University of Virginia Parent Low Blood Sugar Survey

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to produce and validate a Turkish version of the University of Virginia Parent Low Blood Sugar Survey (P-LBSS). The P-LBSS is used to assess parental fear of their diabetic children's hypoglycemia. METHODS: Linguistic, content and face validity of the translated P-LBSS was tested. Afterwards, explanatory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted in order to evaluate construct validity. RESULTS: The sample included 390 parents of type 1 diabetic adolescents aged 12-17 years. Results of the factor analysis showed that the Turkish P-LBSS had 2 subscales (behavior and worry) as in the original. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the Turkish version of the total P-LBSS was found to be 0.803, and the value was 0.865 for the behavior and 0.790 for the worry subscales. Psychometric investigation of the Turkish version of P-LBSS indicated high reliability and good retestability, content and construct validity. CONCLUSION: The Turkish P-LBSS is a valid and reliable instrument to measure the fear of hypoglycemia experienced by parents of diabetic adolescents aged between 12-17 years in the Turkish population.

Providing self-management education to patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: Addressing basic nutrition and hypoglycemia.

NPs and other primary care providers will continue to encounter a growing population of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Helping patients engage in self-care behaviors is essential to achieve blood glucose control and prevent diabetes-related complications. This article explores opportunities to provide education to patients with diabetes mellitus on the important self-care topics of nutrition and hypoglycemia during a primary care visit.

Tiered protocol implementation improves treatment of hypoglycaemia in a neurosciences critical care and surgical intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND: Although studies demonstrate techniques to limit hypoglycaemia in critically ill patients, there are limited data supporting methods to improve management of existing hypoglycaemia. OBJECTIVE: Assess the impact and sustainability of a computerised, three tiered, nurse driven protocol for hypoglycaemia treatment. DESIGN: Retrospective pre and post protocol study. SETTING: Neurosciences and surgical intensive care units at a tertiary academic medical centre. MEASUREMENTS: Patients with a hypoglycaemic episode were included during a pre-protocol or post-protocol implementation period. An additional six-month cohort was evaluated to assess sustainability. RESULTS: Fifty-four patients were included for evaluation (35 pre- and 19 post-protocol); 122 patients were included in the sustainability cohort. Hypoglycaemia treatment significantly improved in the post-protocol cohort (20% vs. 52.6%, p=0.014); with additional improvement to 79.5% in the sustainability cohort. Time to follow-up blood glucose was decreased after treatment from 122 [Q1-Q3: 46-242] minutes pre-protocol to 25 [Q1-Q3: 9-48] minutes post protocol (p<0.0001). This reduction was maintained in the sustainability cohort [median of 29min (Q1-Q3: 20-51)]. CONCLUSION: Implementation of a nurse-driven, three-tiered protocol for treatment of hypoglyacemia significantly improved treatment rates, as well as reduced time to recheck blood glucose measurement. These benefits were sustained during a six-month period after protocol implementation.

Nurse-Directed Blood Glucose Management in a Medical Intensive Care Unit.

BACKGROUND: Insulin-delivery algorithms for achieving glycemic control in the intensive care unit require frequent checks of blood glucose level and thus increase nursing workload. Hypoglycemia is a serious complication associated with intensive insulin therapy. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate a nurse-directed protocol for blood glucose management that allows individualized insulin delivery within a predefined blood glucose corridor, intended to avoid hypoglycemia while maintaining adequate control of blood glucose level without increasing nursing workload. METHODS: A nurse-directed protocol for blood glucose management was developed by an interprofessional team, and the protocol's performance was investigated in 175 patients compared with 384 historical controls. RESULTS: With the nurse-directed protocol, hypoglycemia incidents declined significantly (31% vs 12%, P < .001), and minimum blood glucose levels increased significantly (80 mg/dL vs 93 mg/dL, P < .001). Mean and maximum blood glucose levels, the proportion of glucose readings within the target range (31% vs 26%, P = .06), and the number of blood glucose checks (59 vs 58, P = .85) remained unchanged with use of the protocol. CONCLUSION: Implementation of the nurse-directed protocol for blood glucose management did not increase nursing workload but reduced hypoglycemia incidents significantly while maintaining adequate glycemic control.

Children and young people with diabetes: recognition and management.

Diabetes mellitus (type 1) is an autoimmune condition leading to absolute insulin deficiency resulting in hyperglycaemia and its associated manifestations. It is the most common type of diabetes seen in children, characterised by the 4Ts (toilet, thinner, thirsty, tired). The signs and symptoms can sometimes be non-specific and a delay or missed diagnosis may be catastrophic to the health of the child. Children with an established diagnosis of diabetes often present to the health service with issues such as hypoglycaemia, hyperglycaemia, or diabetic ketoacidosis. The condition requires life-long monitoring and strict control of blood glucose levels with insulin replacement therapy, with the aim of achieving an HbA1c level of 48 mmol/mol. There are often physical and psychosocial issues that arise from the diagnosis leading to poor control. Nurses working in different clinical settings play a vital role in raising suspicions of diabetes leading to timely diagnosis and rapid initiation of treatment. They are best placed to provide essential support in helping children and their families to come to terms with the diagnosis, as well as manage this chronic condition by addressing the common issues that arise in the ongoing management, with a particular emphasis on managing the various day-to-day challenges. Two case studies are included to highlight some of the challenges that nurses may encounter while managing children with diabetes.

The Importance of Glycemic Control in the Hospital and the Role of the Infusion Nurse.

Diabetes is reaching epidemic proportions. Patients undergoing surgery, regardless of diabetes history, are at high risk for complications of poor glycemic control, including infection, mortality, and longer lengths of stay. This article provides an overview of the evidence about glycemic control in the hospital, risk factors for hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, and the role of infusion nurses in improving outcomes for hospitalized patients with diabetes.

Implementing a Protocol Using Glucose Gel to Treat Neonatal Hypoglycemia.

Neonatal hypoglycemia is a leading cause of admission of neonates to the NICU. Typical treatment for neonatal hypoglycemia includes supplementation with formula or, in some cases, intravenous glucose administration. These treatments, though effective at treating hypoglycemia, interrupt exclusive breastfeeding and interfere with mother-infant bonding. Our institution developed a treatment algorithm for newborns at risk for neonatal hypoglycemia. The new algorithm called for the oral administration of 40% glucose gel. This intervention resulted in a 73% decreasein admission rates to the NICU for hypoglycemia, and it supported exclusive breastfeeding, skin-to-skin contact, and mother-infant bonding.

Evaluation of a Nurse-Managed Insulin Infusion Protocol.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of an insulin infusion protocol targeting a blood glucose (BG) level of 140-180 mg/dL and to characterize protocol adherence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective observational cohort study including patients for whom the protocol was ordered from January 2012 to May 2013. Performance metrics were assessed in all patients and in patients with an initial BG level of ≥200 mg/dL. Protocol adherence was assessed in a random subset of 50 patients without hypoglycemia and in all hypoglycemic patients. RESULTS: In patients with an initial BG level of ≥200 mg/dL, the mean time to goal was 7.1 h. The rate of decline of BG level in the first 6 h was 16.4 mg/dL/h. Mean BG level was 167 mg/dL, with 43.9% of BG values within goal and 80.3% between 80 and 199 mg/dL. The rate of hypoglycemic events was 0.14 per 100 h. The mean protocol violation rate was higher in patients with hypoglycemia compared with those without (39.8 vs. 23.5 per 100 h, P = 0.002), and 60.7% of hypoglycemic events were attributable to protocol violations. The protocol violation rate (42.8 vs. 17.6 per 100 h; P < 0.001) and the odds of hypoglycemia (odds ratio = 5.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.6, 16.5) were higher in the cardiac surgery patients compared with other patients. CONCLUSIONS: This protocol provides adequate BG control within the clinically acceptable range of 80-199 mg/dL but not within the narrower range of 140-180 mg/dL, with a low incidence of hypoglycemia. Risk factors for hypoglycemia and barriers to protocol adherence in the cardiac surgery population should be elucidated.