A Study on Identifying the Causes of Hypoglycemia and to Implement a Process to Prevent Hypoglycemia Events in Diabetic Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital, Hyderabad

Abstract

Background: Low blood glucose is common among people with type 1 diabetes and among people with type 2 diabetes who take insulin or oral Hyperglycemic agents. In a large global study of people with diabetes who take insulin, 4 in 5 people with type 1 diabetes and nearly half of those with type 2 diabetes reported a low blood sugar event at least once over a 4-week period. Therefore, this study helps in identifying the causes of hypoglycemia and to implement a process to prevent hypoglycemia events in diabetic patients. Before taking up the study we have noticed an increased number in Hypoglycemia events for 2 months Period. For which the Retrospective data was collected and analyzed to understand the most common factors causing Hypoglycemia Aim: To identify the causes of Hypoglycemia and to implement a process to prevent Hypoglycemia events Design: Initial retrospective analysis was done to understand the most common factors causing Hypoglycemia. Post Retrospective analysis we have initiated a structured training programme to all health care staff who are involved in the care of diabetic patients. Training was done over a period of 2 weeks, following an observation study done for duration of 6 months to analyze the occurrence of hypoglycemia events in details and implemented a process to identify and treat hypoglycemia in time. Result: Mean Hypoglycemia was similar across age, gender, based on diet intake and also based on insulin duration of action. Mean Hypoglycemia was significantly (P<0.05) higher in evening (12 pm to 12 am) 58.8, then the morning (1 am to 12 pm). Asymptomatic glycemic events were significantly (P<0.05) higher by mean of symptomatic hypoglycemia. Conclusion: Implementation of structured training program about the most common causes leading to hypoglycemia and the process of correcting event on time reduce morbidity related to hypoglycemia. Recommendations: Training programme should be carried out for nurses related to process of preventing hypoglycemia and process in correcting hypoglycemia in time Keywords: Hypoglycemia, Diabetes, Insulin, OHA.