Linking variation in the structure and process of bedside glucose testing programs with patient outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to determine if variation in compliance to standards listed in Ancillary (Bedside) Blood Glucose Testing in Acute and Chronic Care Facilities (ABBGT) was linked to variation in patient outcomes.


METHODS
A retrospective analysis examined 450 hospitalized patients with a diagnosis of diabetes from three hospitals with high, medium, and low assessment scores for compliance with ABBGT guidelines. Patients with a diagnosis of diabetes without surgical interventions or intensive care unit stays were selected for the study.


METHODS
percent bedside glucose tests that were out of normal range and length of stay.


RESULTS
Compliance with ABBGT guidelines explained the variation for out of range bedside glucose tests---1.4% and length


CONCLUSIONS
Within a narrow range and high level of compliance with ABBGT guidelines, the compliance scores had a small effect upon the selected outcomes. The hypothesis that following ABBGT guidelines improves patient outcomes was neither proven nor disproven with this study.
Barr
J T
JT
Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA.
Otto
C N
CN
Freeman
S F
SF
Barrett
C
C
Hirsch
C A
CA
Cerda
S R
SR
D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001786:Blood Glucose