The Particulars: Patients with diabetes have a higher likelihood of undergoing major surgeries, a higher risk of perioperative adverse events, and 30% to 50% longer postoperative hospital stays than non-diabetics. However, an optimal strategy for managing blood sugar in diabetic patients undergoing surgery has not been established.
Data Breakdown: In a prospective multicenter trial, electronic notifications were provided to anesthesiologists during surgery for patients with diabetes to guide performance of intraoperative glucose testing. Notifications were provided every 60 minutes if insulin was administered or every 120 minutes if it was not. —. Utilizing this approach led to improved glucose testing when compared with standard care . Few patients had dangerously abnormal glucose values and statistically significant reductions in surgical site infections and 14-day readmissions were observed.
Take Home Pearls: Implementation of intraoperative glucose monitoring alerts for patients with diabetes appears to improve surgical care and reduce abnormal glucose values. The diabetes notification system also decreased surgical site infection rates and postoperative hospital readmissions.
