Abstract:

Several clinical trials indicate that hyperglycemia is associated with poor patient outcomes such as impaired wound healing, increased risk of infection, increased length of stay, and increased mortality. In an effort to improve glycemic control, different strategies are available for hyperglycemia management in hospitalized patients with diabetes. Clinical evidence indicates that a standard of practice for treating non-critically ill hospitalized patients with hyperglycemia or diabetes is through a Basal – Bolus subcutaneous insulin therapy approach. This standard of Basal-Bolus practice, which imitates what a “normal” pancreas does, is the focus of SubQ insulin therapy used to treat non-critically ill patients with hyperglycemia or diabetes at Shands Jacksonville Medical Center (SJMC) in Jacksonville, Florida. Through review of orders for this type of therapy and clinical inpatient scenarios, participants will experience how one major teaching hospital has put it into practice.