title: Bedside blood sugar determinations in the critically ill.
abstract: Critically ill patients often have dramatic fluctuations in blood glucose level, with dire physiologic consequences. Although urine glucose testing can be used to assess hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, this technique is often inaccurate. Therefore, a study was conducted to determine the accuracy and cost-effectiveness of various glucose monitoring systems. The Glucoscan 2000 was compared with the standard laboratory method in 41 patients, by use of 110 blood glucose determinations. There were no significant differences between the two methods in accuracy or time required to run the test. The laboratory charges for 110 determinations were $990, whereas the Glucoscan 2000 cost for the same number of tests was $55. The Glucoscan 2000 provides an accurate, timely, and cost-effective method of monitoring blood glucose.
mesh_terms: D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003422:Critical Care; D006801:Humans; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose