Perioperative glycemic control: use of a hospital-wide protocol to safely improve hyperglycemia.

Perioperative hyperglycemia impairs immunity and contributes to increased susceptibility to infection, higher incidence of multiorgan dysfunction, and greater mortality. Strict glycemic control is associated with lower infection rates, decreased length of stay (LOS), and faster recovery. A protocol that standardized preoperative education, testing, and treatment of elevated blood glucose (BG) safely improved perioperative glycemic control. Preoperative average BG improved from 191 to 155 mg/dL (P=.016); postoperative average BG decreased from 189 to 168 mg/dL (P=.094). The percentage of patients presenting with BG greater than 180 mg/dL preoperatively and achieving BG less than 180 mg/DL postoperatively increased from 21% to 43% (P = .09). Even though some results were statistically non-significant, the data showed a trend toward improvement with the new protocol. Good perioperative glycemic control, without an increased risk of hypoglycemia, is achievable.

Improving ambulatory diabetes care in high-risk racial minorities: use of culture-specific education and close follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a project aimed at improving diabetes care in the ambulatory setting among 2 high-risk racial minorities (African American and Hispanic patients) by using culture-specific education provided by trained diabetes educators from the same racial groups as the targeted patients. METHODS: Two nurse educators, 1 Hispanic and 1 African American, completed a standardized chronic disease management program, as did 2 patients with diabetes from each of the aforementioned ethnic groups in preparation for training other patients. The study patients participated in group classes or one-on-one sessions to learn about appropriate management of their diabetes, related complications, and improved lifestyle habits. Close follow-up by telephone and regular appointments ensured that appropriate glucose monitoring and laboratory tests were performed. Outcome measures before and after the intervention were recorded, with final project follow-up at 24 months. A control group was identified during the same period, which received standard care (follow-up with a physician every 3 to 6 months). RESULTS: An improvement in control of diabetes occurred, as determined by a significant decline in hemoglobin A1c levels in both minority study groups. Emergency department visits also decreased significantly. Lipid profiles and microalbumin showed improvement as well. More than 90% of patients kept appointments and had all laboratory studies performed. CONCLUSION: The project intervention had a notable effect, physically and psychologically, on the 2 ethnic sample populations studied. These results have major implications, both clinically and financially, for public health policy planning for diabetes care in minority populations.

Effectiveness and long-term safety of thiazolidinediones and metformin in renal transplant recipients.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the long-term safety and effectiveness of thiazolidinediones and metformin in renal transplant recipients with posttransplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) or preexisting diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS: Retrospective chart review was performed for renal transplant recipients with PTDM or preexisting DM followed up during the years 2000-2006. Data collected included baseline characteristics; glomerular filtration rate (GFR); creatinine; hemoglobin A1c; and development of congestive heart failure, edema, and liver function abnormalities. GFR was calculated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease study equation calculator. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients comprised the metformin group (PTDM = 21, preexisting DM = 11), and 46 patients were included in the TZD group (PTDM = 33, preexisting DM = 13). Only 24 patients taking metformin and 31 patients taking TZDs were included for effectiveness analysis since the others required additional medications to control their DM. Mean follow-up was 16.4 months (range, 1-55 months) for patients treated with metformin and 37.1 months (range, 6-72 months) for patients treated with TZDs. GFR was decreased from baseline in all patients, but the only significant change was in patients with preexisting DM. While there was a significant change in creatinine levels in the metformin group, only 5 patients had to discontinue the drug because of this elevation (3 in preexisting DM group, 2 in PTDM group). Change in hemoglobin A1c from baseline was not significant in either study group. Development of congestive heart failure or liver function abnormalities was not observed. CONCLUSIONS: Metformin appears to be safe in the renal transplant population for a mean duration of 16 months, although caution should be exercised using close monitoring in patients with preexisting DM. TZDs appear to be safe for a mean duration of 37 months after renal transplant.

Improving medication calculation skills of practicing nurses and senior nursing students: a pilot study.

Medication administration is an essential nursing competency as calculation difficulties can lead to serious medication errors. Nurses involved in staff education need to be aware of methods to assess for computation difficulty and develop strategies for nurses to improve their computation abilities. The purposes of this quasi-experimental pilot study were to assess the medication calculation skills of nurses and nursing students and to determine the effectiveness of teaching strategies aimed at improving these skills.