title: A computerized insulin infusion titration protocol improves glucose control with less hypoglycemia compared to a manual titration protocol in a trauma intensive care unit.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous studies reflect reduced morbidity and mortality with intensive blood glucose control in critically ill patients. Unfortunately, implementation of such protocols has proved challenging. This study evaluated the degree of glucose control using manual paper-based vs computer-based insulin protocols in a trauma intensive care unit.
  
  
  METHODS
  Of 1455 trauma admissions from May 31 to December 31, 2005, a cohort of 552 critically ill patients met study entry criteria. The patients received intensive blood glucose management with IV insulin infusions. Using Fisher's exact test, the authors compared patients managed with a computerized protocol vs a paper-based insulin protocol with respect to the portion of glucose values in a target range of 80-110 mg/dL, the incidence of hyperglycemia (> or =150 mg/dL), and the incidence of hypoglycemia (< or =40 mg/dL).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three hundred nine patients were managed with a manual paper-based protocol and 243 were managed with a computerized protocol. The total number of blood glucose values across both groups was 21,178. Mean admission glucose was higher in the computer-based protocol group (170 vs 152 mg/dL; p < .001, t-test). Despite this finding by Fisher's exact test, glucose control was superior in the computerized group; a higher portion of glucose values was in range 80-110 mg/dL (41.8% vs 34.0%; p < .001), less hyperglycemia occurred (12.8% vs 15.1%; p < .001), and less hypoglycemia occurred (0.2% vs 0.5%; p < .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A computerized insulin titration protocol improves glucose control by (1) increasing the percentage of glucose values in range, (2) reducing hyperglycemia, and (3) reducing severe hypoglycemia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Services, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, USA. marcus.dortch@vanderbilt.edu
authors.forename: Marcus J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Dortch
authors.forename: Nathan T
authors.initials: NT
authors.lastname: Mowery
authors.forename: Asli
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ozdas
authors.forename: Lesly
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dossett
authors.forename: Hanqing
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Bryan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Collier
authors.forename: Gwen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Holder
authors.forename: Randolph A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Addison K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: May
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001331:Automation; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016638:Critical Illness / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D007328:Insulin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D014193:Trauma Centers; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin