Use of a Shear Reduction Surface for Prehospital Transport: A Randomized Crossover Study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of an antishear mattress overlay (ASMO) with a standard ambulance stretcher surface in reducing pressure and shear and increasing patient comfort. METHODS: In this randomized, crossover design, adults in three body mass index categories served as their own controls. Pressure/shear sensors were applied to the sacrum, ischial tuberosity, and heel. The stretcher was placed in sequential 0°, 15°, and 30° head-of-bed elevations with and without an ASMO. The ambulance traveled a closed course, achieving 30 mph, with five stops at each head-of-bed elevation. Participants rated discomfort after each series of five runs. RESULTS: Thirty individuals participated. Each participant had 30 runs (15 with an ASMO, 15 without), for a total of 900 trial runs. The peak-to-peak shear difference between support surfaces was -0.03 N, indicating that after adjustment for elevation, sensor location, and body mass index, peak shear levels at baseline (starting pause) were 0.03 N lower for the ASMO than for the standard surface ( P = .02). The peak-to-peak pressure difference between surfaces was -0.16 mm Hg, indicating that prerun peak-to-peak pressure was 0.16 mm Hg lower with the ASMO versus standard surface ( P = .002). The heel received the most pressure and shear. Discomfort score distributions differed between surfaces at 0° ( P = .004) and 30° ( P = .01); the overall score across all elevations was significantly higher with the standard surface than with the ASMO ( P = .046). CONCLUSIONS: The ASMO reduced shear, pressure, and discomfort. During transport, the ambulance team should provide additional heel offloading.

Best-practices for preventing skin injury beneath personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic: A position paper from the National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel.

COVID-19 has infected millions of patients and impacted healthcare workers worldwide. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is a key component of protecting frontline clinicians against infection. The benefits of PPE far outweigh the risks, nonetheless, many clinicians are exhibiting skin injury caused by PPE worn incorrectly. These skin injuries, ranging from lesions to open wounds are concerning because they increase the susceptibility of viral infection and transmission to other individuals. Early into the COVID-19 pandemic (April 2020), the U. S. National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (NPIAP) developed a series of position statements to improve wear-ability of PPE and protect healthcare professionals and their patients as safe from harm as possible under the circumstances. The NPIAP positions, which were formed by conducting a systematic review of what was known at the time, include: (a) Prepare skin before and after wearing PPE with skin sealants, barrier creams and moisturisers; (b) Frequent PPE offloading to relieve pressure and shear applied to skin; (c) treat visible skin injuries immediately caused by PPE to minimise future infection; (d) non-porous dressings may provide additional skin protection, but lack evidence; (e) health systems should take care to educate clinicians about placement and personal hygiene related to handling PPE. Throughout all of these practices, handwashing remains a top priority to handle PPE. These NPIAP positions provided early guidance to reduce the risk of skin injury caused by PPE based on available research regarding PPE injuries, a cautious application of evidence-based recommendations on prevention of device-related pressure injuries in patients and the expert opinion of the NPIAP Board of Directors. Clinicians who adhere to these recommendations reduce the prospects of skin damage and long-term effects (e.g. scarring). These simple steps to minimise the risk of skin injury and reduce the risk of coronavirus infection from PPE can help.

Perioperative pressure injury prevention: National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel root cause analysis toolkit 3.0.

OBJECTIVES: Operating room-related pressure injuries (ORPI) are particularly challenging to examine for several reasons. Time in the OR is often a distinct event within the hospitalisation, and discovery of an ORPI may occur between several hours and up to 5 days postoperatively. The National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (NPIAP) first developed a root cause analysis (RCA) toolkit in 2017 as a systematic strategy for investigating the root causes of facility-acquired pressure injury (PI). The purpose of this 2021 RCA toolkit update was to address an expanded investigation of medical device-related PIs (MDRPIs), both inside and outside the OR, as well as the specific PI prevention issues of the perioperative area. METHODS: Clinicians have been using the 2017 toolkit as a basis for ongoing quality improvement tracking, since it provides more accurate information than data extractions from patient health records. A small working group consisting of NPIAP board and panel members developed investigative questions to identify the ORPI root causes and compliance with best practices for the entire perioperative experience. RESULTS: Action items are linked to evidence-based recommendations from the NPIAP/European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel/Pan Pacific Pressure Injury Alliance 2019 International Guideline and the Association of PeriOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) Guidelines for Perioperative Practice. A multidisciplinary clinician guide was also developed to identify practice gaps and to compile the information into an action plan for staff education and/or process improvement. CONCLUSION: The updated NPIAP RCA toolkit provides mechanisms for investigating, compiling and trending data as a basis for data-driven quality improvement. Using the enhanced investigative tools, the root causes of both MDRPIs and ORPIs can be better understood to target efforts to reduce their occurrence.

The Clinical Effect of an Early, Protocolized Approach to Mechanical Ventilation for Severe and Refractory Hypoxemia.

BACKGROUND: ARDS remains a source of significant morbidity and mortality in the critically ill patient. The mainstay of therapy entails invasive mechanical ventilation utilizing a lung-protective strategy designed to limit lung injury associated with excessive stress and strain while the underlying etiology of respiratory failure is identified and treated. Less is understood about what to do once conventional ventilation parameters have been optimized but the patient's respiratory status remains unchanged or worsens. In 2015, a protocolized, stepwise approach to mechanical ventilation with partially automated and clearly defined thresholds for management changes was implemented at our institution. We hypothesized that, by identifying appropriate patients earlier, time-to-escalation and rescue therapy implementation would be shortened. METHODS: Subjects with severe ARDS, treated with prone positioning based on our institution's protocolized approach from December 2013 to August 2016 were included. Their baseline characteristics, severity of illness scores, and mechanical ventilation parameters were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics, tidal volumes, PaO2 /FIO2 , duration of ventilation after proning, and mortality were similar in both groups. Median (interquartile range [IQR]) PEEP at the time of proning was higher after the protocol implementation (12.5 cm H2O [IQR 6.5-19.4] vs 18 cm H2O [IQR 10-22], P = .386), and mean (IQR) respiratory system driving pressure was lower (16 cm H2O [IQR 13-36.2] vs 12 cm H2O [IQR 9-19.6], P = .029). Median (IQR) time from refractory hypoxemia identification to proning was shorter after protocol implementation (42.2 h [IQR 6.83-347.2] vs 16.3 h [IQR 1-99.7], I = .02), and PaO2 /FIO2 at 1 h after proning was higher. ICU and hospital LOS were shorter after the protocol implementation. CONCLUSIONS: Following the implementation of an early, evidence-based, protocolized approach to optimizing mechanical ventilation, subjects with true refractory hypoxemia were identified earlier and time to proning was significantly shorter. Despite improvement in the evaluation and management of refractory hypoxemia as well as time to initiation of prone positioning, mortality was unchanged and there was variation in the duration of the position.

A Retrospective, Descriptive Analysis of Hospital-acquired Deep Tissue Injuries.

Preventing, identifying, and treating deep tissue injury (DTI) remains a challenge. PURPOSE: The purpose of the current research was to describe the characteristics of DTIs and patient/care variables that may affect their development and outcomes at the time of hospital discharge. METHODS: A retrospective, descriptive, single-site cohort study of electronic medical records was conducted between October 1, 2010, and September 30, 2012, to identify common demographic, intrinsic (eg, mobility status, medical comorbidities, and incontinence), extrinsic (ie, surgical and procedural events, medical devices, head-of-bed elevation), and care and treatment factors related to outcomes of hospital-acquired DTIs; additional data points related to DTI development or descriptive of the sample (Braden Scale scores and subscale scores, hospital length of stay [LOS], intensive care unit [ICU] LOS, days from admission to DTI, time in the operating room, serum albumin levels, support surfaces/specialty beds, and DTI locations) also were retrieved. DTI healing outcomes, grouped by resolved, partial-thickness/stable, and full-thickness/unstageable, and 30 main patient/treatment variables were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis, chi-squared, and Fischer exact tests. RESULTS: One hundred, seventy-nine (179) DTIs occurred in 141 adult patients (132 in men, 47 in women; mean patient age 64 [range 19-94]). Of those patients, 110 had a history of peripheral vascular disease and 122 had hypertension. Sixty-nine (69) DTIs were documented in patients who died within 1 year of occurrence. Most common DTI sites were the coccyx (47 [26%]) and heel (42 [23%]); 41 (22%) were device-related. Median hospital LOS was 23 (range 4-258) days and median ICU LOS was 12 (range 1-173) days; 40 DTIs were identified before surgery and 120 after a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure. Data for DTI outcome groups at hospital discharge included 28 resolved, 131 partial-thickness/stable, and 20 full-thickness/unstageable; factors significantly different between outcome groups included mechanical ventilation (15/42/12; P = .01), use of a feeding tube (15/46/12; P = .02), anemia (14/30/9; P = .005), history of cerebrovascular accident (12/27/7; P = .03), hospital LOS (67/18/37.5; P <.001), ICU LOS (23/10/12; P = .03), time-to-event (13.5/8/9; P = .001), vasopressor use after DTI (13/31/11; P = .003), low-air-loss surface (10/9/3; P = .005), and device-related (14/24/4; P = .002). CONCLUSION: DTI risk factors mirrored those of other PUs, but progression to full-thickness injury was not inevitable. Early and frequent assessment and timely intervention may help prevent DTI progression.

Clinical Practice Guidelines for Sustained Neuromuscular Blockade in the Adult Critically Ill Patient.

OBJECTIVE: To update the 2002 version of "Clinical practice guidelines for sustained neuromuscular blockade in the adult critically ill patient." DESIGN: A Task Force comprising 17 members of the Society of Critical Medicine with particular expertise in the use of neuromuscular-blocking agents; a Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation expert; and a medical writer met via teleconference and three face-to-face meetings and communicated via e-mail to examine the evidence and develop these practice guidelines. Annually, all members completed conflict of interest statements; no conflicts were identified. This activity was funded by the Society for Critical Care Medicine, and no industry support was provided. METHODS: Using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system, the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation expert on the Task Force created profiles for the evidence related to six of the 21 questions and assigned quality-of-evidence scores to these and the additional 15 questions for which insufficient evidence was available to create a profile. Task Force members reviewed this material and all available evidence and provided recommendations, suggestions, or good practice statements for these 21 questions. RESULTS: The Task Force developed a single strong recommendation: we recommend scheduled eye care that includes lubricating drops or gel and eyelid closure for patients receiving continuous infusions of neuromuscular-blocking agents. The Task Force developed 10 weak recommendations. 1) We suggest that a neuromuscular-blocking agent be administered by continuous intravenous infusion early in the course of acute respiratory distress syndrome for patients with a PaO2/FIO2 less than 150. 2) We suggest against the routine administration of an neuromuscular-blocking agents to mechanically ventilated patients with status asthmaticus. 3) We suggest a trial of a neuromuscular-blocking agents in life-threatening situations associated with profound hypoxemia, respiratory acidosis, or hemodynamic compromise. 4) We suggest that neuromuscular-blocking agents may be used to manage overt shivering in therapeutic hypothermia. 5) We suggest that peripheral nerve stimulation with train-of-four monitoring may be a useful tool for monitoring the depth of neuromuscular blockade but only if it is incorporated into a more inclusive assessment of the patient that includes clinical assessment. 6) We suggest against the use of peripheral nerve stimulation with train of four alone for monitoring the depth of neuromuscular blockade in patients receiving continuous infusion of neuromuscular-blocking agents. 7) We suggest that patients receiving a continuous infusion of neuromuscular-blocking agent receive a structured physiotherapy regimen. 8) We suggest that clinicians target a blood glucose level of less than 180 mg/dL in patients receiving neuromuscular-blocking agents. 9) We suggest that clinicians not use actual body weight and instead use a consistent weight (ideal body weight or adjusted body weight) when calculating neuromuscular-blocking agents doses for obese patients. 10) We suggest that neuromuscular-blocking agents be discontinued at the end of life or when life support is withdrawn. In situations in which evidence was lacking or insufficient and the study results were equivocal or optimal clinical practice varies, the Task Force made no recommendations for nine of the topics. 1) We make no recommendation as to whether neuromuscular blockade is beneficial or harmful when used in patients with acute brain injury and raised intracranial pressure. 2) We make no recommendation on the routine use of neuromuscular-blocking agents for patients undergoing therapeutic hypothermia following cardiac arrest. 3) We make no recommendation on the use of peripheral nerve stimulation to monitor degree of block in patients undergoing therapeutic hypothermia. 4) We make no recommendation on the use of neuromuscular blockade to improve the accuracy of intravascular-volume assessment in mechanically ventilated patients. 5) We make no recommendation concerning the use of electroencephalogram-derived parameters as a measure of sedation during continuous administration of neuromuscular-blocking agents. 6) We make no recommendation regarding nutritional requirements specific to patients receiving infusions of neuromuscular-blocking agents. 7) We make no recommendation concerning the use of one measure of consistent weight over another when calculating neuromuscular-blocking agent doses in obese patients. 8) We make no recommendation on the use of neuromuscular-blocking agents in pregnant patients. 9) We make no recommendation on which muscle group should be monitored in patients with myasthenia gravis receiving neuromuscular-blocking agents. Finally, in situations in which evidence was lacking or insufficient but expert consensus was unanimous, the Task Force developed six good practice statements. 1) If peripheral nerve stimulation is used, optimal clinical practice suggests that it should be done in conjunction with assessment of other clinical findings (e.g., triggering of the ventilator and degree of shivering) to assess the degree of neuromuscular blockade in patients undergoing therapeutic hypothermia. 2) Optimal clinical practice suggests that a protocol should include guidance on neuromuscular-blocking agent administration in patients undergoing therapeutic hypothermia. 3) Optimal clinical practice suggests that analgesic and sedative drugs should be used prior to and during neuromuscular blockade, with the goal of achieving deep sedation. 4) Optimal clinical practice suggests that clinicians at the bedside implement measure to attenuate the risk of unintended extubation in patients receiving neuromuscular-blocking agents. 5) Optimal clinical practice suggests that a reduced dose of an neuromuscular-blocking agent be used for patients with myasthenia gravis and that the dose should be based on peripheral nerve stimulation with train-of-four monitoring. 6) Optimal clinical practice suggests that neuromuscular-blocking agents be discontinued prior to the clinical determination of brain death.

Comparison of Cervical Range-of-Motion Restriction and Craniofacial Tissue-Interface Pressure With 2 Adjustable and 2 Standard Cervical Collars.

STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to compare and contrast the restrictiveness and tissue-interface pressure (TIP) characteristics of 2 standard and 2 adjustable cervical collars. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: This study compared the restrictiveness and TIP of 4 commercially available cervical collars (2 standard and 2 adjustable). Adjustable collars offer potential advantages of individualized fit for patients and decreased inventory for institutions. The overall goal was to determine whether the adjustable collars provided the same benefits of cervical range-of-motion (CROM) restriction as the standard collars without increasing TIP and risk of pressure-related complications. METHODS: A total of 48 adult volunteer subjects (24 men and 24 women) were fitted with 4 collars (Aspen, Aspen Vista, Miami J, and Miami J Advanced) in random order. Data collection included assessment of CROM restrictiveness and measurement of TIP on the mandible and occiput in upright and supine positions. The experimental, repeated measures design stratified the sample by body mass index (BMI) and sex. RESULTS: All collars restricted CROM as compared with no collar (P ≤ 0.001 each). Aspen was more restrictive than Aspen Vista and Miami J in 4 movement planes (P ≤ 0.003 each), but not significantly different from Miami J Advanced. The Miami J standard collar was associated with significantly lower peak TIPs on all sites and in all positions compared with Aspen (P ≤ 0.001), Miami J Advanced (P < 0.001), and Aspen Vista (P = 0.01 for mandible site and upright position, P < 0.001 for remaining sites and positions). Increased peak TIP correlated with high BMI across all collar types, but was significantly lower for the Miami J collar than the Aspen collar. CONCLUSION: All collars, compared with no collar, significantly restricted CROM. Although the collar-to-collar comparisons were statistically significant, the differences may have little clinical significance in the acutely injured trauma patient. The Miami J standard collar had the lowest overall TIP in both sites and positions. Ongoing effort should be devoted to staff education in proper sizing and fit, particularly for patients with high BMI.

Applying quality improvement methods in a hyperbaric oxygen program: reducing unnecessary glucose testing.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the implementation of a quality improvement (QI) project that aimed at improving and standardizing glucose checks on patients with diabetes undergoing hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy. METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study. Following the Model for Improvement, nurses and physicians ran several Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles over a four-month period, with multiple iteration and testing changes. They developed and implemented a nurse-led protocol that was tested prospectively. RESULTS: Compared to the pre-protocol baseline (N = 332), glucose checks per session guided by the protocol decreased by 37.7% (2.84 vs. 1.77 per session, P⟨0.001). Compliance with the new protocol was higher than compliance with the existing protocol (97.3% to 84.2%, P⟨0.001). There were no cases of a symptomatic hypoglycemic event after the implementation of the protocol. CONCLUSIONS: A quality improvement project implemented by a multidisciplinary team in a hyperbaric practice was feasible and has improved the management of diabetic patients undergoing HBO2 therapy. Considering how the hyperbaric community values the culture of safety and considering the feasibility of this project, more QI training and projects in hyperbaric programs should be performed.

Factors that contribute to physician variability in decisions to limit life support in the ICU: a qualitative study.

PURPOSE: Our aim was to explore reasons for physician variability in decisions to limit life support in the intensive care unit (ICU) utilizing qualitative methodology. METHODS: Single center study consisting of semi-structured interviews with experienced physicians and nurses. Seventeen intensivists from medical (n = 7), surgical (n = 5), and anesthesia (n = 5) critical care backgrounds, and ten nurses from medical (n = 5) and surgical (n = 5) ICU backgrounds were interviewed. Principles of grounded theory were used to analyze the interview transcripts. RESULTS: Eleven factors within four categories were identified that influenced physician variability in decisions to limit life support: (1) physician work environment-workload and competing priorities, shift changes and handoffs, and incorporation of nursing input; (2) physician experiences-of unexpected patient survival, and of limiting life support in physician's family; (3) physician attitudes-investment in a good surgical outcome, specialty perspective, values and beliefs; and (4) physician relationship with patient and family-hearing the patient's wishes firsthand, engagement in family communication, and family negotiation. CONCLUSIONS: We identified several factors which physicians and nurses perceived were important sources of physician variability in decisions to limit life support. Ways to raise awareness and ameliorate the potentially adverse effects of factors such as workload, competing priorities, shift changes, and handoffs should be explored. Exposing intensivists to long term patient outcomes, formalizing nursing input, providing additional training, and emphasizing firsthand knowledge of patient wishes may improve decision making.

All at-risk patients are not created equal: analysis of Braden pressure ulcer risk scores to identify specific risks.

PURPOSE: To improve identification of risk factors for pressure ulcer development and enhance targeted interventions and prevention strategies. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: The records of 12,566 adult patients hospitalized in intensive or progressive care units within Mayo Clinic were analyzed. Inclusion criteria were Braden Scale of 18 or less during the hospitalization; exclusion criteria were preexisting pressure ulcer or length of stay less than 24 hours. METHODS: This study is a retrospective cohort analysis of electronic medical record data from January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2007. Only iatrogenic stage 2 to 4 pressure ulcers were considered as incident events. Demographic and clinical data were extracted from the medical record, including total Braden Scale score and Braden subscale scores at hospital admission, length of stay, admission to the intensive care unit at the time of hospitalization, and presence of acute respiratory failure, acute renal failure, or diabetes. Time to event was calculated based on time from admission to pressure ulcer occurrence or to hospital discharge. RESULTS: Four hundred sixteen (3.3%) of patients developed a pressure ulcer during their hospitalizations. The Braden Scale score total by itself was found to be highly predictive of pressure ulcer development (P ≤ .0001, C = 0.71), as were all individual subscores. The friction/shear subscale had the greatest predictive power among Braden Scale scores (subscores and total score) (C = 0.83). The multivariate model after selection included 5 Braden Scale subscales, surgery, and acute respiratory failure (C = 0.91). CONCLUSIONS: The total Braden Scale score is predictive of pressure ulcer development but does not assist the clinician to develop an individualized targeted prevention plan. In contrast, the use of subscale scores can enhance prevention programs and resource utilization by focusing care on the risk factors specific to the individual patient.

Improving practice: efforts to reduce occipital pressure ulcers.

Cervical collars are necessary to stabilize the cervical spine of trauma patients but are known to contribute to the development of occipital pressure ulcers. A quality improvement project that began on one nursing unit stimulated the development of evidence-based practice guidelines and a multidisciplinary research study. As a result, a standardized plan of care and cervical collar recommendations were implemented, resulting in a sharp decline in the incidence of occipital pressure ulcers.

Range-of-motion restriction and craniofacial tissue-interface pressure from four cervical collars.

BACKGROUND: Occipital pressure ulcers are well-known complications for trauma patients wearing cervical collars. We assessed the effects of four commercial cervical collars (Aspen, Philadelphia, Miami J, and Miami J with Occian back [Miami J/Occian]) on cervical range of motion (CROM) and mandibular and occipital tissue-interface pressure (TIP). METHODS: Forty-eight healthy volunteers (24 men, 24 women; mean age, 38.9 years +/- 10.5 years) were stratified by body mass index. CROM was measured in the seated position without and with collars. Sagittal, coronal, and rotatory CROM was measured with a goniometer. Occipital and mandibular pressures were mapped with subjects in upright and supine positions. RESULTS: All collars significantly restricted CROM in all planes (p < 0.001). The Philadelphia and standard Miami J collars were the most restrictive. The Aspen collar was the least restrictive for flexion and rotation. The Miami J/Occian back was the least restrictive for extension and lateral flexion. For supine measurements, Miami J and Miami J/Occian back had the lowest mean TIP, whereas Aspen and Philadelphia collars had the greatest (p < 0.001). For upright measurements, the Miami J/Occian back produced the smallest mean TIPs; the other collars, ranked by ascending TIP, were Philadelphia, Miami J, and Aspen (p < 0.001). Philadelphia and Miami J collars had significant collar-body mass index interaction effects on supine occiput mean pressure (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Miami J and Philadelphia collars restricted CROM to the greatest extent. Miami J and Miami J/Occian back had the lowest levels of mandibular and occipital pressure; these collars may markedly reduce the risk of occipital pressure ulcers without compromising immobilization.

Comparison of a nurse initiated insulin infusion protocol for intensive insulin therapy between adult surgical trauma, medical and coronary care intensive care patients.

BACKGROUND: Sustained hyperglycemia is a known risk factor for adverse outcomes in critically ill patients. The specific aim was to determine if a nurse initiated insulin infusion protocol (IIP) was effective in maintaining blood glucose values (BG) within a target goal of 100-150 mg/dL across different intensive care units (ICUs) and to describe glycemic control during the 48 hours after protocol discontinuation. METHODS: A descriptive, retrospective review of 366 patients having 28,192 blood glucose values in three intensive care units, Surgical Trauma Intensive Care Unit (STICU), Medical (MICU) and Coronary Care Unit (CCU) in a quaternary care hospital was conducted. Patients were > 15 years of age, admitted to STICU (n = 162), MICU (n = 110) or CCU (n = 94) over 8 months; October 2003-June 2004 and who had an initial blood glucose level > 150 mg/dL. We summarized the effectiveness and safety of a nurse initiated IIP, and compared these endpoints among STICU, MICU and CCU patients. RESULTS: The median blood glucose values (mg/dL) at initiation of insulin infusion protocol were lower in STICU (188; IQR, 162-217) than in MICU, (201; IQR, 170-268) and CCU (227; IQR, 178-313); p < 0.0001. Mean time to achieving a target glucose level (100-150 mg/dL) was similar between the three units: 4.6 hours in STICU, 4.7 hours in MICU and 4.9 hours in CCU (p = 0.27). Hypoglycemia (BG < 60 mg/dL) occurred in 7% of STICU, 5% of MICU, and 5% of CCU patients (p = 0.85). Protocol violations were uncommon in all three ICUs. Mean blood glucose 48 hours following IIP discontinuation was significantly different for each population: 142 mg/dL in STICU, 167 mg/dL in MICU, and 160 mg/dL in CCU (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The safety and effectiveness of nurse initiated IIP was similar across different ICUs in our hospital. Marked variability in glucose control after the protocol discontinuation suggests the need for further research regarding glucose control in patients transitioning out of the ICU.