Glucose alert system improves health professional responses to adverse glycaemia and reduces the number of hyperglycaemic episodes in non-critical care inpatients

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the effect of a novel glucose alert system, comprising the Melbourne Glucose Alert Pathway and glucose-alert-capable networked blood glucose meters, on nursing and hospital medical officer responses to adverse glycaemia. Methods: A prospective, pre- and post-observational study was undertaken in non-critical care wards of a tertiary hospital over 4 months (n=148 or 660 patient-days). The intervention consisted of two components designed to promote a consistent staff response to blood glucose measurements: (1) a clinical escalation pathway, the Melbourne Glucose Alert Pathway, and (2) networked blood glucose meters, which provide a visual alert for out-of-range blood gluco..