Glycemic Control and Use of the Insulin Sliding Scale in Hospitalized Patients with Diabetes

Abstract

This study assessed the extent of use of the subcutaneous insulin sliding scale (ISS) with hospitalized medical patients and examined the association between ISS use and glucose control. Despite some concerns about efficacy and suitability, the ISS is often used in the hospital studied. Researchers reviewed records of patients with a secondary diagnosis of diabetes who were admitted to the medical teaching unit of a tertiary care hospital. On day 1, 45.2% of patients were on an ISS alone. Patients on an ISS were more likely to experience hyperglycemia compared with patients on scheduled regimens, but they also had fewer hypoglycemic episodes.