Improving Intravenous and Subcutaneous Insulin Overlap During Treatment of Diabetic Ketoacidosis: A Quality Improvement Project

Objective

To reduce the frequency of insufficient overlap of intravenous (IV) and subcutaneous (SC) insulin during the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) as a quality improvement project.

Patients and Methods

Rates of insufficient IV and SC insulin overlap (< 2-hour overlap, SC insulin given after IV insulin discontinuation, or no SC insulin given after IV insulin discontinuation) were assessed in adults with DKA treated with IV insulin at a large tertiary care referral center in Rochester, Minnesota, from July 1, 2021, to March 15, 2023. After a preintervention analysis period, an electronic medical record–based best practice advisory was introduced to notify hospital providers discontinuing IV insulin if SC long-acting insulin had not been given in the previous 2-6 hours. Demographic characteristics and clinical outcomes before and after intervention were compared.

Results

A total of 352 patient encounters were included (251 in the preintervention phase and 101 in the postintervention phase). The rate of insufficient IV to SC insulin overlap decreased from (88 of 251) 35.1% before intervention to (20 of 101) 19.8% after intervention (P=.005). The rate of posttransition hypoglycemia (<70 mg/dL; to convert to mmol/L, multiply by 0.0259) decreased from (27 of 251) 10.7% to (4 of 101) 4% after intervention (P=.04). Rates of posttransition hyperglycemia (>250 mg/dL), rebound DKA, length of hospital stay, and duration of IV insulin therapy were similar before and after intervention.

Conclusion

Using quality improvement methodology, the rates of insufficient IV to SC insulin overlap during treatment of DKA in a large tertiary care referral center were measured and reduced through an electronic medical record–based best practice advisory targeting hospital providers.