1156-P: Diabetes Technology in the Pediatric Inpatient Setting

Abstract

Introduction: Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) pumps and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) improve glycemic control and quality of life for children with diabetes. This study assessed the existence and content of pediatric inpatient diabetes technology policies in U.S. hospitals. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was distributed to the Pediatric Pharmacy Association listserv. The survey had multiple-choice and open-ended items related to hospital practices on insulin pump and CGM use in the pediatric inpatient setting. Results: Only 17 of the 31 responding hospitals (54.8%) allowed CGM use in the pediatric inpatient setting with 13 (76.5%) of those having written CGM policies. Primary barriers to allowing CGM use were lack of policy (n=11, 78.6%), limited policy knowledge (n=9, 64.3%), and lack of EMR integration (n=6, 42.9%). Most hospitals reported not utilizing CGM high and low blood sugar alarms (n=10, 58.8%). Hospitals typically used finger stick blood glucose testing while patients used a CGM (n=13, 76.5%). More hospitals (n=29, 93.5%) reported an option for insulin pump use in the pediatric inpatient setting with 96.6% (n=28) having a written policy. Overall, hospitals’ reported policies did not differ for pump use in children admitted for diabetes complications versus nondiabetes diagnoses (n=24, 85.7%). Less than half had specific policies for suspected pump site failure (n=13, 46.4%). Verification of pump doses varied greatly with hospitals reporting nursing verification (n=17, 58.6%), patient report (n=10, 34.5%) and no verification policy (n=2, 6.9%). Conclusion: Most hospital respondents had policies for inpatient insulin pump use while fewer had policies allowing CGM use. Best practice standards support having written guidelines to ensure patient safety and to guide the pediatric care team. Policy repositories may be a helpful resource for hospitals that lack written guidelines. Disclosure N. Rajagopal: None. A. Bailey: None. C. Ngo: None. A.D. Hendrix-Dicken: Stock/Shareholder; Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca. S. Mercer: None. M. Condren: Consultant; Wolters Kluwer Health.