TEAMWORK Hospital team reduces hypoglycemic events WELLSTAR DOUGLAS MEDICAL CENTER
An interdisciplinary approach was the key to a successful pilot project involving nursing, pharmacy, nutrition and other departments.
At Wellstar Douglas Medical Center, an interdisciplinary team took on the challenge of reducing hypoglycemic events, especially related to insulin administration. The opportunity
the correct sliding scale insulin sensitivity and point-of-care blood glucose frequencies. Patients at risk were monitored daily and recommendations were made to providers. The Nursing/Food Services department created a process to detect inappropriate diet orders for patients with an A1C above 6.5% and a history of diabetes. Nursing also developed a tool to help bedside nurses identify and report patients at risk. The project saw excellent results. Nursing interventions on the unit led to a 33.3% reduction in treated hypoglycemic events. There were significant improvements in compliance with dietary orders, and in communication during IDRs. Thanks to education and monitoring, medication errors were decreased by more than 25%. The results of this successful pilot will be shared at several upcoming conferences. n
TEAMWORK Team members rush to patient in distress WELLSTAR SYLVAN GROVE MEDICAL CENTER Quick action, smooth team- work and a call from a loving spouse combine to save a life. Wellstar Sylvan Grove registration received a call from a woman asking that they be on the lookout for her husband. While driving in his truck, he experienced chest pain and was on his way to the emergency department. As he stepped out of the truck, the man fell forward. Nursing staff rushed in, starting CPR in the parking lot. The patient was in ventricular fibrillation, a potentially life- threating cardiac condition. To restore his normal rhythm, the patient required 19 electrical shocks. With time of the essence, Sylvan Grove team members stabilized the patient and transferred him to Wellstar Spalding Medical Center; there he was treated, released and fully recovered. n
resulted from the Vizient 2023 Hospital Quality and
Accountability Scorecard. A 30- bed medical floor was selected as the site for a pilot review of all hypoglycemic events. The review revealed that these occurrences were associated with incorrect insulin, insufficient nutrition and changes in inpatient conditions. Using Lean Six Sigma problem- solving, the team identified countermeasures and monitored outcomes. The hospital pharmacy developed a real-time metric for hypoglycemic events requiring a dextrose antidote. The pharmacy also implemented an action plan for the availability of insulin in automated drug delivery systems. Double checks ensured
13 | 2024 NURSING REPORT
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