Working to improve care of hospital hyperglycemia through statewide collaboration: the Georgia Hospital Association Diabetes Special Interest Group.
OBJECTIVE
To review the efforts of the Georgia Hospital Association Diabetes Special Interest Group (DSIG) to develop and disseminate sample clinical guidelines on management of inpatient hyperglycemia.


METHODS
Beginning in February 2003, a consortium of physicians and allied health professionals from throughout the state of Georgia began meeting on a frequent basis to formulate a plan to enhance the care of hospitalized patients with hyperglycemia. The immediate goals of the DSIG were the identification and organization of interested stakeholders, the development of consensus sample clinical guidelines, and the dissemination of information.


RESULTS
Since its inception, the DSIG has accomplished the following: development of 7 consensus sample clinical guidelines, construction of a Web site that posts these clinical guidelines and other useful related information and educational materials, and sponsorship of workshops throughout the state of Georgia.


CONCLUSIONS
As the importance of glucose control in the hospital setting has become increasingly recognized, institutions must find ways of applying results of clinical trials to "real-world" hospital environments. The DSIG is an example of a successful collaboration that could serve as a model for other state hospital organizations that wish to develop programs to enhance the care of inpatients with hyperglycemia.
Cook
Curtiss B
CB
Division of Endocrinology, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Scottsdale, Arizona 85259, USA.
Stockton
Lawrence
L
Baird
Marianne
M
Osburne
Robert C
RC
Davidson
Paul C
PC
Steed
R Dennis
RD
Bode
Bruce W
BW
Reid
Joyce
J
McGowan
Kathryn A
KA
D032921:Consensus; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000628:therapy*; D005845:Georgia; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000628:therapy*; D033181:Information Dissemination / Q000379:methods; D007297:Inpatients; D020407:Internet; D017146:Models, Organizational; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D016730:Program Development