Open Access 06-09-2024 | Hyperglycemia | Original Article
SMART DIABETES HOSPITAL: CLINICAL IMPACT IN COMPLEX SURGICAL UNITS OF A TERTIARY HOSPITAL
Published in: Acta Diabetologica
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Aim
To evaluate the impact of a proactive action of a specialized diabetes team (SDT) on different health outcomes in patients hospitalized in high complexity surgery units, including solid organ transplant surgical units, of a tertiary hospital.
Methods
Nested case control study matched (1:1) by age and gender. The control group consisted of patients (n = 120) who were under the standard of care diabetes management admitted three months’ prior the cases. The cases were admitted in the same surgical units (n = 120) and were treated in the setting of the so called “Smart Diabetes Hospital” (SDH) consisting in a SDT that prioritized their actions through a digital map showing blood glucose levels obtained during the previous 24 h.
Results
SDH implementation resulted in a significant reduction in both blood glucose levels (mean 162.1 ± SD 44.4 vs. mean 145.5 ± SD 48.0; p = 0.008) and hypoglycaemic episodes (19.7% vs. 8.4%: p = 0.002). Furthermore, a reduction of 3 days in the length of stay (LOS) was observed (15.6 ± 10.3 vs. 12.4 ± 6.0), which represents a significant cost-saving. Moreover, more new cases of diabetes were detected during the SDT period (2.5% vs. 6.7%, p = 0.04).
Conclusion
SDH is effective in diabetes management and reduce LOS in complex surgical units.
