Hospital Harm - Severe Hyperglycemia

None

None

Hyperglycemia, i.e., elevated glucose level, is common among hospitalized patients, especially those with preexisting diabetes (Umpierrez et al., 2012) and account for over 30% of noncritically ill hospitalized patients (Korytkowski, 2022). Hyperglycemia can also affect individuals with no prior history of diabetes and may be induced by medications such as steroids, or parenteral (intravenous) or enteral (tube) feeding.

Severe hyperglycemia, i.e., extremely elevated glucose level, is significantly associated with a range of harms, including increased in-hospital mortality, infection rates, and hospital length of stay (Pasquel, et al., 2021; Umpierrez et al., 2012, 2015). Lower rates of inpatient severe hyperglycemia may not only improve care for patients, but also reduce costs for healthcare payers (Krinsley et al., 2016). The rate of hyperglycemia varies across hospitals, suggesting opportunities for improvement in inpatient glycemic management (Bersoux et al., 2013). The rate of inpatient hyperglycemia can be considered a marker for quality of hospital care, since inpatient hyperglycemia is largely avoidable with proper glycemic management. The use of evidence-based standardized protocols and insulin management protocols have been shown to improve glycemic control and safety (Leroy et al., 2020; Maynard et al., 2015).

From the Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline on the Management of Hyperglycemia in Hospitalized Patients in Non-critical Care Setting, 2022:

Recommendation 1.1

In adults with insulin-treated diabetes hospitalized for noncritical illness who are at high risk of hypoglycemia, we suggest the use of real-time continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) with confirmatory bedside point-of-care blood glucose (POC-BG) monitoring for adjustments in insulin dosing rather than point-of-care blood glucose (POC-BG) testing alone in hospital settings where resources and training are available.

Hyperglycemia, i.e., elevated glucose level, is common among hospitalized patients, especially those with preexisting diabetes (Umpierrez et al., 2012) and accounts for over 30% of noncritically ill hospitalized patients (Korytkowski, 2022). Hyperglycemia can also affect individuals with no prior history of diabetes and may be induced by medications such as steroids, or parenteral (intravenous) or enteral (tube) feeding.

Severe hyperglycemia, i.e., extremely elevated glucose level, is significantly associated with a range of harms, including increased in-hospital mortality, infection rates, and hospital length of stay (Pasquel, et al., 2021; Umpierrez et al., 2012, 2015). Lower rates of inpatient severe hyperglycemia may not only improve care for patients, but also reduce costs for healthcare payers (Krinsley et al., 2016). The rate of hyperglycemia varies across hospitals, suggesting opportunities for improvement in inpatient glycemic management (Bersoux et al., 2013; Seisa et al., 2022). The rate of inpatient hyperglycemia can be considered a marker for quality of hospital care, since inpatient hyperglycemia is largely avoidable with proper glycemic management. The use of evidence-based standardized protocols and insulin management protocols have been shown to improve glycemic control and safety (Leroy et al., 2020; Maynard et al., 2015).

It should be noted that this measure does not aim to measure overall glucose control in hospitalized patients; rather, our goal is to assess the occurrence and extent of severe hyperglycemia. This measure is also intended to be used in combination with its companion measure of hypoglycemia (Hospital Harm – Hypoglycemia) to reduce unintended consequences of measurement.

It should be noted that this measure does not aim to measure overall glucose control in hospitalized patients; rather, our goal is to assess the occurrence and extent of severe hyperglycemia. This measure is also intended to be used in combination with its companion measure of hypoglycemia (Hospital Harm – Hypoglycemia) to reduce unintended consequences of measurement.

Multiple guidelines address recommended levels of glycemic control, though these do not define severe hyperglycemia:

From Section 16, Diabetes Care in the Hospital, in the Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes by the American Diabetes Association, (American Diabetes Association, 2022):

16.4 Insulin therapy should be initiated for treatment of persistent hyperglycemia starting at a threshold ≥180 mg/dL (10.0 mmol/L) (checked on two occasions). Once insulin therapy is started, a target glucose range of 140–180 mg/dL (7.8–10.0 mmol/L) is recommended for the majority of critically ill and noncritically ill patients. A

16.5 More stringent goals, such as 110–140 mg/dL (6.1–7.8 mmol/L), may be appropriate for selected patients if they can be achieved without significant hypoglycemia.

From the Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline on the Management of Hyperglycemia in Hospitalized Patients in Non-critical Care Setting (2022):

Recommendation 10.1

In adults with no prior history of diabetes hospitalized for noncritical illness with hyperglycemia [defined as blood glucose (BG) > 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L)] during hospitalization, we suggest initial therapy with correctional insulin over scheduled insulin therapy (defined as basal or basal/bolus insulin) to maintain glucose targets in the range of 100 to 180 mg/dL (5.6 to 10.0 mmol/L). For patients with persistent hyperglycemia [≥2 point-of-care blood glucose (POC-BG) measurements ≥ 180 mg/dL (≥10.0 mmol/L) in a 24-hour period on correctional insulin alone], we suggest the addition of scheduled insulin therapy.

Recommendation 10.2

In adults with diabetes treated with diet or noninsulin diabetes medications prior to admission, we suggest initial therapy with correctional insulin or scheduled insulin therapy to maintain glucose targets in the range of 100 to 180 mg/dL (5.6 to 10.0 mmol/L). For hospitalized adults started on correctional insulin alone and with persistent hyperglycemia [≥2 point-of-care blood glucose (POC-BG) measurements ≥ 180 mg/dL in a 24-hour period (≥10.0 mmol/L)], we suggest addition of scheduled insulin therapy. We suggest initiation of scheduled insulin therapy for patients with confirmed admission blood glucose (BG) ≥ 180 mg/dL (≥10.0 mmol/L).

Recommendation 10.3

In adults with insulin-treated diabetes prior to admission who are hospitalized for noncritical illness, we recommend continuation of the scheduled insulin regimen modified for nutritional status and severity of illness to maintain glucose targets in the range of 100 to 180 mg/dL (5.6 to 10.0 mmol/L).

Remarks

Reductions in the dose of basal insulin (by 10% to 20%) at time of hospitalization may be required for patients on basal heavy insulin regimens (defined as doses of basal insulin ≥ 0.6 to 1.0 units/kg/day), in which basal insulin is being used inappropriately to cover meal-related excursions in BG.

There is no clinically accepted cutoff for severe hyperglycemia. Studies have used thresholds of >140, >180 , >300, and >350 mg/dL, among other values (American Diabetes Association, 2020; Umpierrez et al, 2012, 2015); Jamesen et al., 2015; Donihi et al., 2011; Mendez et al, 2015). BGL <180 mg/dL is associated with lower rates of mortality and stroke compared with a target glucose <200 mg/dL (Sathya, et al., 2013). Glycemic goals may also differ among hospitalized patients. For example, in an older patient with a prior history of severe hypoglycemia, some degree of hyperglycemia may be tolerated to maximize safety. Intensive insulin therapy to target glucose of 100 and 140mg/dLin the ICU didn’t significantly reduce perioperative complications compared with target glucose of 141and180mg/dLafter coronary artery bypass surgery (Umpierrez, 2015).

For patients who present with hyperglycemic crises, neurologic status must be monitored closely, with frequent re-examination. Care should be taken to prevent over-correction of hyperglycemia and hyperosmolarity following initial fluid resuscitation of these patients to prevent cerebral edema, which carries a high mortality rate. (Gosmanov et al., 2021).

Multiple guidelines address recommended levels of glycemic control, though these do not define severe hyperglycemia:

From Section 16, Diabetes Care in the Hospital, in the Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes by the American Diabetes Association, (American Diabetes Association, 2023):

16.4 Insulin therapy should be initiated for the treatment of persistent hyperglycemia starting at a threshold ≥180 mg/dL (10.0 mmol/L) (checked on two occasions). Once insulin therapy is started, a target glucose range of 140–180 mg/dL (7.8–10.0 mmol/L) is recommended for most critically ill and noncritically ill patients.

16.5 More stringent goals, such as 110–140 mg/dL (6.1–7.8 mmol/L) or 100–180 mg/dL (5.6–10.0 mmol/L), may be appropriate for selected patients and are acceptable if they can be achieved without significant hypoglycemia.

From the Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline on the Management of Hyperglycemia in Hospitalized Patients in Non-critical Care Setting (Korytkowski et al., 2022):

Recommendation 10.1

In adults with no prior history of diabetes hospitalized for noncritical illness with hyperglycemia [defined as blood glucose (BG) > 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L)] during hospitalization, we suggest initial therapy with correctional insulin over scheduled insulin therapy (defined as basal or basal/bolus insulin) to maintain glucose targets in the range of 100 to 180 mg/dL (5.6 to 10.0 mmol/L). For patients with persistent hyperglycemia [≥2 point-of-care blood glucose (POC-BG) measurements ≥ 180 mg/dL (≥10.0 mmol/L) in a 24-hour period on correctional insulin alone], we suggest the addition of scheduled insulin therapy.

Recommendation 10.2

In adults with diabetes treated with diet or noninsulin diabetes medications prior to admission, we suggest initial therapy with correctional insulin or scheduled insulin therapy to maintain glucose targets in the range of 100 to 180 mg/dL (5.6 to 10.0 mmol/L). For hospitalized adults started on correctional insulin alone and with persistent hyperglycemia [≥2 point-of-care blood glucose (POC-BG) measurements ≥ 180 mg/dL in a 24-hour period (≥10.0 mmol/L)], we suggest addition of scheduled insulin therapy. We suggest initiation of scheduled insulin therapy for patients with confirmed admission blood glucose (BG) ≥ 180 mg/dL (≥10.0 mmol/L).

Recommendation 10.3

In adults with insulin-treated diabetes prior to admission who are hospitalized for noncritical illness, we recommend continuation of the scheduled insulin regimen modified for nutritional status and severity of illness to maintain glucose targets in the range of 100 to 180 mg/dL (5.6 to 10.0 mmol/L).

Remarks

Reductions in the dose of basal insulin (by 10% to 20%) at time of hospitalization may be required for patients on basal heavy insulin regimens (defined as doses of basal insulin ≥ 0.6 to 1.0 units/kg/day), in which basal insulin is being used inappropriately to cover meal-related excursions in BG.

There is no clinically accepted cutoff for severe hyperglycemia. Studies have used thresholds of >140, >180 , >300, >350 and >400 mg/dL, among other values (American Diabetes Association, 2023; Umpierrez et al, 2012, 2015; Jamesen et al., 2015; Donihi et al., 2011; Mendez et al, 2015; Seisa et al., 2022). BGL <180 mg/dL is associated with lower rates of mortality and stroke compared with a target glucose <200 mg/dL (Sathya et al., 2013). Glycemic goals may also differ among hospitalized patients. For inpatient management of hyperglycemia in noncritical care, the expert consensus recommends a target range of 100–180 mg/dL (5.6–10.0 mmol/L) for noncritically ill patients with “new” hyperglycemia as well as people with known diabetes prior to admission. Glycemic levels >250 mg/dL (13.9 mmol/L) may be acceptable in terminally ill patients with short life expectancy. In these individuals, less aggressive insulin regimens to minimize glucosuria, dehydration, and electrolyte disturbances are often more appropriate. (ElSayed et al., 2023). In an older patient with a prior history of severe hypoglycemia, some degree of hyperglycemia may be tolerated to maximize safety. Intensive insulin therapy to target glucose of 100 and 140mg/dLin the ICU didn’t significantly reduce perioperative complications compared with target glucose of 141and180mg/dL after coronary artery bypass surgery (Umpierrez et al., 2015). The current recommendation is to maintain a blood glucose level between 140-180 mg/dL (7.8-10.0 mmol/L) in both cardiac and non-cardiac ICU patients (Sreedharan et al., 2022).

For patients who present with hyperglycemic crises, neurologic status must be monitored closely, with frequent re-examination. Care should be taken to prevent over-correction of hyperglycemia and hyperosmolarity following initial fluid resuscitation of these patients to prevent cerebral edema, which carries a high mortality rate. (Gosmanov et al., 2021).

From the Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline on the Management of Hyperglycemia in Hospitalized Patients in Non-critical Care Setting (Korytkowski et al., 2022):

Recommendation 1.1

In adults with insulin-treated diabetes hospitalized for noncritical illness who are at high risk of hypoglycemia, we suggest the use of real-time continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) with confirmatory bedside point-of-care blood glucose (POC-BG) monitoring for adjustments in insulin dosing rather than point-of-care blood glucose (POC-BG) testing alone in hospital settings where resources and training are available.

Inpatient hospitalizations: Includes time in the emergency department and observation when the transition between these encounters (if they exist) and the inpatient encounter are within an hour or less of each other.

This measure defines a severe hyperglycemic day (harm) as either (1) a day with a test (lab or point-of-care (POC)) for glucose with a result of >300 mg/dL, or (2) a day in which a glucose test with a result was not found and it was preceded by two consecutive days where at least one lab or point-of-care (POC) test during each of the two days for glucose had a result >=200 mg/dL.

Hospital days are not defined as midnight-to-midnight but are full 24-hour periods that start at the time of admission to the hospital (including emergency department and observation), excluding the last period before discharge from hospital inpatient if it is less than 24 hours.

Inpatient hospitalizations: Includes time in the emergency department and observation when the transition between these encounters (if they exist) and the inpatient encounter are within an hour or less of each other.

This measure defines a severe hyperglycemic day (harm) as either (1) a day with a test (lab or point-of-care (POC)) for glucose with a result of >300 mg/dL, or (2) a day in which a glucose test with a result was not found and it was preceded by two consecutive days where at least one lab or point-of-care (POC) test during each of the two days for glucose had a result >=200 mg/dL.

Hospital days are not defined as midnight-to-midnight but are full 24-hour periods that start at the time of admission to the hospital (including emergency department and observation), excluding the last period before discharge from hospital inpatient if it is less than 24 hours.

Inpatient hospitalizations where the patient is 18 years or older at the start of the admission with a discharge during the measurement period, as well as either:

1) a diagnosis of diabetes that starts before or during the encounter; or

2) administration of at least one dose of insulin or any hypoglycemic medication during the encounter; or

3) presence of at least one blood glucose value >=200 mg/dL at any time during the encounter

The measure includes inpatient hospitalizations that began in the emergency department or in observation

Inpatient hospitalizations for patients age 18 and older that end during the measurement period, as well as either:

- A diagnosis of diabetes that starts before or during the encounter; or

- Administration of at least one dose of insulin or any hypoglycemic medication during the encounter; or

- Presence of at least one glucose value >=200 mg/dL at any time during the encounter

Inpatient hospitalizations for patients age 18 and older that end during the measurement period, as well as either:

- A diagnosis of diabetes that starts before the end of the encounter; or

- Administration of at least one dose of insulin or any hypoglycemic medication that starts during the encounter; or

- Presence of at least one glucose value >=200 mg/dL at any time during the encounter.