Evaluation of a Computerized Insulin Dosing Tool for the Treatment of Diabetic Ketoacidosis

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 768-773 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aubrey A. Defayette ◽  
Lisa M. Voigt ◽  
Kimberly T. Zammit ◽  
Jamie N. Nadler ◽  
Brian P. Kersten
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Blood Glucose ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Diabetic Ketoacidosis ◽  
Chart Review ◽  
Unit Length ◽  
Primary Diagnosis ◽  
Gap Closure ◽  
Dosing Strategy

Purpose: Computerized insulin dosing tools (CIDT) have been shown to improve the care of critically ill patients with hyperglycemia. Application of a CIDT in addition to a diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) order set for the treatment of DKA has not been evaluated. Our goal was to determine the effects the CIDT would have on the treatment of a patient with DKA. Methods: In this retrospective, pre–post chart review, a provider-driven insulin dosing strategy (pregroup) was compared to the CIDT (postgroup) with 24-hour pharmacist monitoring. The CIDT utilized an equation that incorporated a patient’s most recent blood glucose (BG) value and recommended a rate of insulin (units/hour) every hour. Results: All baseline characterizes were similar between the 2 groups. There were no significant differences in average time to anion gap closure (≤ 12 mEq/L) or intensive care unit length of stay between the pregroup and postgroup (12.5 [6] hours vs 10.5 [7] hours, P = 0.235; 40.6 [24] hours vs 40.8 [24] hours, P = 0.945). Although not statistically significant, 17 hypoglycemic events (BG < 70 mg/dL) occurred in the pregroup with 4 being severe (BG < 50 mg/dL) while 5 hypoglycemic events occurred in the postgroup, none of which were severe. Conclusion: This study suggests, when compared to a provider-driven insulin dosing strategy, the CIDT with 24-hour pharmacist monitoring is efficacious and safe for treatment of patients with a primary diagnosis of DKA.

Association of Length of Stay at Emergency Services in the Outcome of Admitted Patients

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
RP Neupane ◽  
S Raut ◽  
TM Shrestha ◽  
R Aacharya
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Emergency Services ◽  
Unit Length ◽  
University Teaching ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Prolonged Stay ◽  
Icu Outcome ◽  
Ultimate Outcome

Abstract Background: Access block and overcrowding leading to prolonged stay in emergency room is a common problem of Emergency services of Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH) Kathmandu. Those patients who stayed longer in emergency department might affect continuing care and the ultimate outcome of patients. Study aims to evaluate the association of emergency services length of stay and outcome of admitted patients in wards or Intensive Care Unit at the predefined cut-off value of 6 hour. Methods: It was a prospective cross sectional comparative study done in TUTH, Kathmandu. Data were collected from records from emergency services, wards, ICU and hospital record section from October, 2018 to April, 2019. Adult patients were grouped in to two groups; Emergency services to wards (ES to Wards) and Emergency services to ICU (ES to ICU). Outcome was compared between those admitted within 6hr and those admitted after 6hr of stay in emergency services. Results: A total of 2,059 patients were enrolled over 6 months. Out of them, Male were 55.5% and 42.6% patients were at the age of equal to or above 60 years. Total admitted patients who stayed equal to or less than 6 hr in emergency services was 26.7%. It was found that there was no significant association between Emergency services length of stay (ESLOS) and outcome of admitted total patients (p= 0.160) as well as in ICU (p= 0.559) or Ward admitted patients (p= 0.361). Age was found independent predictor for outcome (p= <0.01). Association of ESLOS and age was also found statistically significant (p= 0.02). Conclusions: Emergency service length of stay is not predictor for outcome of admitted patients. Key words: Emergency services, intensive care unit, length of stay, mortality.

The Trach Trail: A Systems-Based Pathway to Improve Quality of Tracheostomy Care and Interdisciplinary Collaboration

2020 ◽  
Vol 163 (2) ◽  
pp. 232-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca L. Cherney ◽  
Vinciya Pandian ◽  
Ashly Ninan ◽  
Debra Eastman ◽  
Brian Barnes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Patient Outcomes ◽  
Care Pathway ◽  
Interdisciplinary Collaboration ◽  
Unit Length ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Staff Nurse ◽  
Prospective Comparison

Objective To implement a standardized tracheostomy pathway that reduces length of stay through tracheostomy education, coordinated care protocols, and tracking patient outcomes. Methods The project design involved retrospective analysis of a baseline state, followed by a multimodal intervention (Trach Trail) and prospective comparison against synchronous controls. Patients undergoing tracheostomy from 2015 to 2016 (n = 60) were analyzed for demographics and outcomes. Trach Trail, a standardized care pathway, was developed with the Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice. Trach Trail implementation entailed monthly tracheostomy champion training at 8-hour duration and staff nurse didactics, written materials, and experiential learning. Trach Trail enrollment occurred from 2018 to 2019. Data on demographics, length of stay, and care outcomes were collected from patients in the Trach Trail group (n = 21) and a synchronous tracheostomy control group (n = 117). Results Fifty-five nurses completed Trach Trail training, providing care for 21 patients placed on the Trach Trail and for synchronous control patients with tracheostomy who received routine tracheostomy care. Patients on the Trach Trail and controls had similar demographic characteristics, diagnoses, and indications for tracheostomy. In the Trach Trail group, intensive care unit length of stay was significantly reduced as compared with the control group, decreasing from a mean 21 days to 10 ( P < .05). The incidence of adverse events was unchanged. Discussion Introduction of the Trach Trail was associated with a reduction in length of stay in the intensive care unit. Realizing broader patient-centered improvement likely requires engaging respiratory therapists, speech language pathologists, and social workers to maximize patient/caregiver engagement. Implications for Practice Standardized tracheostomy care with interdisciplinary collaboration may reduce length of stay and improve patient outcomes.

375: ADMISSION PLATELET COUNT AND INTENSIVE CARE UNIT LENGTH OF STAY

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 169-169
Author(s):  
Tanya Marvi ◽  
Ryan Brown ◽  
Li Wang ◽  
Matthew Semler ◽  
Todd Rice
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Platelet Count ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Unit Length ◽  
Intensive Care Unit Length

‘Normal’ Vital Signs Belie Occult Hypoperfusion in Geriatric Trauma Patients

2010 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremiah T. Martin ◽  
Fuad Alkhoury ◽  
Judith A. O'Connor ◽  
Tassos C. Kyriakides ◽  
John A. Bonadies
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Unit Length ◽  
Vital Signs ◽  
Intensive Care Unit Length ◽  
Hospital Length Of Stay ◽  
Common Finding ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Severity Scores

Base deficit (BD) and lactic acid (LA) are accepted markers of hypoperfusion and predictors of outcome in the trauma patient and we aim to assess the value of these markers in the triage of the elderly with “normal” vital signs. Patients older than age 65 who presented between 1997 and 2004 but who did not have isolated head injuries were included. Three patient groups were established: normal, occult hypoperfusion (OH), and shock. Outcome measures included mortality, hospital length of stay, intensive care unit length of stay, and discharge disposition. One hundred six patients were included in the analysis and had similar Injury Severity Scores. Mean systolic blood pressure was similar in the normal and OH groups. Forty-two per cent of patients had abnormal BD or LA in the emergency room indicating OH. These patients were more likely to have a longer intensive care unit length of stay (8.6 days vs 3 days; P = 0.01) and were also more likely to be discharged to a nursing facility ( P = 0.03). The trend was toward increased mortality in the OH group. OH is a common finding in elderly trauma patients. Outcomes in these patients are different and more like those presenting in shock.

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