Increasing Frequency of Hemoglobin A1c Measurements in Hospitalized Patients With Diabetes: A Quality Improvement Project Using Lean Six Sigma.

Background: The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends measuring A1c in all inpatients with diabetes if not performed in the prior three months. Our objective was to determine the impact of utilizing Lean Six Sigma to increase the frequency of A1c measurements in hospitalized patients.

Methods: We evaluated inpatients with diabetes mellitus consecutively admitted in a community hospital between January 2016 and June 2021, excluding those who had an A1c in the electronic health record (EHR) in the previous three months.

COVID-19 and telehealth in the intensive care unit setting: a survey.

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has led to changes in how healthcare is delivered. Here, through the administration of surveys, we evaluated telehealth use and views in US intensive care units (ICUs) during the pandemic.

Methods: From June 2020 to July 2021, voluntary, electronic surveys were provided to ICU leaders of Johns Hopkins Medical Institution (JHMI) hospitals, members of the Neurocritical Care Society (NCS) who practice in the US, and Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) members practicing adult medicine.

Retrospective Quality Improvement Study of Insulin-Induced Hypoglycemia and Implementation of Hospital-Wide Initiatives.

Background: Hospitalized patients who are receiving antihyperglycemic agents are at increased risk for hypoglycemia. Inpatient hypoglycemia may lead to increased risk for morbidity, mortality, prolonged hospitalization, and readmission within 30 days of discharge, which in turn may lead to increased costs. Hospital-wide initiatives targeting hypoglycemia are known to be beneficial; however, their impact on patient care and economic measures in community nonteaching hospitals are unknown.

Effects of a Dedicated Inpatient Diabetes Management Service on Glycemic Control in a Community Hospital Setting.

Background: Community hospitals account for over 84% of all hospitals and over 94% of hospital admissions in the United States. In academic settings, implementation of an Inpatient Diabetes Management Service (IDMS) model of care has been shown to reduce rates of hyper- and hypoglycemia, hospital length of stay (LOS), and associated hospital costs. However, few studies to date have evaluated the implementation of a dedicated IDMS in a community hospital setting.