title: Evaluation of bedside blood glucose monitoring by the phlebotomy team in an acute general care hospital.
abstract: A feasibility study was undertaken to evaluate laboratory phlebotomists performing bedside glucose monitoring (BGM) over a 3-month period on a medical and surgical floor. Specific questions included: feasibility of providing testing on a 24-h basis, accuracy, appropriate utilization, effect on patient care, and an analysis of cost. In all, 1975 tests were performed on 114 patients. BGM results were within 15% of the laboratory's result 97% of the time. Patient and physician satisfaction was high. Although the cost of BGM is slightly higher than a laboratory glucose test, its use appeared to reduce the length of hospital stay by 0.47 days. Practical information on initiating a highly successful BGM program is provided.
authors: Department of Medicine, Mercy Hospital of Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA.
authors: J M
authors: JM
authors: Johnston
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Grondziowski
authors: R M
authors: RM
authors: Windisch
authors: R A
authors: RA
authors: Eder
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Lytle
mesh_terms: D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006769:Hospitals, General; D016519:Hospitals, Religious; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D007755:Laboratories, Hospital; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010414:Pennsylvania; D018962:Phlebotomy; D012044:Regression Analysis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose