American Diabetes Association

Uncontrolled hyperglycemia in hospitalized patients with or without a previous diagnosis of diabetes is associated with adverse outcomes and longer lengths of stay. In addition to the increasing preva-lence of diabetes in the United States, many patients without preexisting diabetes experience stress-related hyperglycemia during hospitaliza-tion.1 It is estimated that one-third of hospitalized patients will experi-ence significant hyperglycemia.2 The cost associated with hospitalization for patients with diabetes accounts for half of all health care expendi-tures for this disease.3–5 Controlling glucose levels for inpatients should be a priority for hospitals and practic-ing physicians. Recent guidelines for optimal glucose goals in hospitalized patients have been developed by th