Standardized glycemic management and perioperative glycemic outcomes in patients with diabetes mellitus who undergo same-day surgery.

Objective: To assess the safety and effectiveness of a standardized glycemic management protocol in patients with diabetes mellitus who undergo same-day surgery.

Methods: The perioperative glycemic management protocol consisted of preoperative instructions and perioperative order sets for management of subcutaneous and intravenous insulin. Patients with known diabetes admitted to same-day surgery during a 10-month period were observed. Patient demographic information and all capillary blood glucose (CBG) values obtained during the same-day surgery visit were collected. Hyperglycemia, defined as a CBG concentration of 200 mg/dL or greater, prompted notification of the attending anesthesiologist. While use of the perioperative order sets was encouraged, the attending anesthesiologist retained the prerogative to treat according to these order sets or their usual care. Physician compliance with the standardized order sets was determined by chart review in the patients who had a documented blood glucose value of 200 mg/dL or greater.

Results: Patients managed with the standardized order sets had greater reductions in CBG values (percentage change, 35 ± 20.5% vs 18 ± 24%, P<.001) and lower postoperative CBG values (186 ± 53 mg/dL vs 208 ± 63 mg/dL, P<.05) than patients who received usual care. No cases of intraoperative or postoperative hypoglycemia (CBG <70 mg/dL) were observed in either group.

Conclusions: A systematic approach to glycemic management that includes instructions for preoperative adjustments to home diabetic medications and order sets for treatment of perioperative hyperglycemia is safe and can be more effective than usual care for ambulatory surgery patients with diabetes.