Hyperglycemia in the Hospital
- Cara L. Thompson, MSN, APRN, BC-ADM, RD, LDN, CDE,
- Kelli C. Dunn, MD,
- Meera C. Menon, MD,
- Lauren E. Kearns, MSN, RN, BC and
- Susan S. Braithwaite, MD, FACE, FACP
Abstract
In Brief This article reviews the use of subcutaneous insulin for hospitalized patients. Topics include the rationale for using insulin; scheduled insulin therapy to cover basal and nutritional needs; correction therapy; dose determination; establishment of timing of insulin action appropriate to the pattern of carbohydrate exposure; education of caregivers; and the design of hospital systems that will promote quality and help staff to manage complexity.
Footnotes
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Cara L. Thompson MSN, APRN, BC-ADM, RD, LDN, CDE, is a diabetes clinical nurse education specialist in the Department of Nursing Practice Education and Research at the University of North Carolina Hospitals in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kelli C. Dunn, MD, and Meera C. Menon, MD, are second-year fellows in the Department of Endocrinology/Medicine at the same institution. Lauren E. Kearns, MSN, RN, BC, is a liver transplant coordinator at the same institution and is board certified in nursing informatics. Susan S. Braithwaite, MD, FACE, FACP, is a clinical professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina Diabetes Care Center in Durham, N.C.
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Note of disclosure: Dr. Braithwaite has received honoraria for speaking engagements from Aventis and research funding from Bristol-Myers Squibb. Both companies make insulin products for the treatment of hyperglycemia.
- American Diabetes Association
