Hospital Practice: Volume 37: No.1

Safe Insulin Use in the Hospital Setting

Lowell R. Schmeltz, MD

Abstract: Inpatients have a high rate of diabetes (12%–26%) and hyperglycemia (~38%). All patients should have their glycosylated hemoglobin (A_1C) checked on admission to help differentiate between long-term and new-onset hyperglycemia. Good glycemic control throughout the hospital stay is associated with decreases in short- and long-term risk of mortality, inpatient complications, length of hospital stay, and health care costs. Insulin is first-line therapy for hyperglycemia; patients with hyperglycemia should be managed using either intravenous (IV) or subcutaneous (SC) insulin algorithms. A hypoglycemia management protocol should be in place at the hospital for safety purposes. For successful glycemic control, insulin algorithms should have dynamic scales, require frequent glucose monitoring, and be simple and easy to use. The algorithm should address transitioning patients from IV to SC insulin and a discharge plan. Insulin analogues are preferred for basal, mealtime, and correction doses instead of human insulins (regular and NPH) because analogues have a more predictable absorption and action profile and less pharmacokinetic fluctuation. Institutions can increase safe insulin use by utilizing insulin algorithms, preprinted order sets, and hypoglycemia protocols; by supporting patient and health care provider education; and by implementing needle-stick prevention techniques.

Keywords: glycemic control; inpatient; insulin analogue; hyperglycemia; safety; algorithm

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