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Study Examines Burden Of Diabetes On US Hospitals

Date:
January 13, 2009
Source:
Wiley-Blackwell
Summary:
A new study the extent of hospital admissions for individuals with diabetes and its economic burden in the US.
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A benchmarking study published in the Journal of Hospital Medicine evaluated contemporary hospital glycemic management in United States academic medical centers, determining glucose control practices are suboptimal and do not meet current American Diabetes Association (ADA) hospital diabetes care standards.

The retrospective cohort study was based upon a 2005 collaborative project by The University HealthSystem Consortium, an alliance of 103 academic health centers and 119 associated hospitals. The study found wide variation in performance of the recommended hospital diabetes care measures. Recommendations and guidelines from the ADA include the use of intravenous insulin to control hyperglycemia in critically ill patients, but the study found that intravenous insulin was used in less than half of ICU patients involved in the study.

“With the prevalence of diabetes in hospitalized adult patients ranging from 12 percent to 25 percent, it’s vital for hospitals to use effective insulin therapy to control glucose levels in acutely ill patients.” says Jeffrey B. Boord, MD, MPH, lead author of the study. “Tight glucose control can improve patient outcomes and decrease hospital stay.”

Intravenous insulin use is associated with better overall glucose control in the study. The findings also indicate the need for more research into other opportunities to improve hospital care practices, such as standardized protocols for subcutaneous basal/bolus insulin regimens and increased frequency of A1C testing.


Story Source:

Materials provided by Wiley-Blackwell. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Boord et al. Evaluation of hospital glycemic control at US Academic Medical Centers. Journal of Hospital Medicine, 2009; 4 (1): 35 DOI: 10.1002/jhm.390

Cite This Page:

Wiley-Blackwell. "Study Examines Burden Of Diabetes On US Hospitals." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 13 January 2009. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090113155845.htm>.
Wiley-Blackwell. (2009, January 13). Study Examines Burden Of Diabetes On US Hospitals. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 28, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090113155845.htm
Wiley-Blackwell. "Study Examines Burden Of Diabetes On US Hospitals." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090113155845.htm (accessed March 28, 2024).

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