Intraoperative Glycemic Management

Background: Hospitals have protocols in place to provide safe and high quality care for clients. One of these protocols involves monitoring blood glucose levels by anesthesiologists every two hours during surgery if the client had subcutaneous insulin prior to surgery. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if anesthesiologists at a specific hospital are following a new glycemic management protocol during surgeries. Method(s): Anesthesia surgery records were audited for the day of surgery on all clients whose medication administration records indicated they had received subcutaneous insulin prior to surgery. Data was gathered during the months of December 2013 through February 2014. Results: 46% (13 of 28) of clients that fell under protocol parameters were not monitored. Conclusions: Action needs to be taken to ensure the protocol is being followed. Possible actions might include posting the protocol in the surgical area and providing in-service education to appropriate staff