SAT147 A Pharmacist Driven Active Surveillance Program To Reduce Hypoglycemic Recurrences In The Inpatient Setting

Abstract

Abstract Disclosure: S. Kim: None. H. Tran: None. R.Y. Gianchandani: None. Background: Hyper and hypoglycemia increase morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. Glucose excursions are time sensitive and require timely response to prevent future episodes of dysglycemia. As part of a quality improvement initiative, we implemented an Active Glycemic Surveillance (AGS) program in July 2022 targeting patients with hypoglycemia (BG <70 mg/dL) based on a preliminary evaluation that revealed recurrent hypoglycemia was an opportunity for improvement. Pharmacist involvement in glycemic management has been shown to improve clinical outcomes in the acute care setting. Our AGS program is unique in that pharmacist trained in inpatient glycemic management is empowered to directly intervene on antihyperglycemic medication orders under scope of practice by a protocol approved through the pharmacy and therapeutics committee. Intervention: The AGS team consists of an endocrinologist and a diabetes stewardship pharmacist. A policy was developed and approved by P and T that outlines the types of interventions and orders that the diabetes stewardship pharmacist is able to make under scope of practice. These interventions include the ability to order certain labs (POCT BG, HgbA1C), and to adjust or discontinue certain anti-hyperglycemic agents Hospitalized patients who have a BG <70 mg/dL in the last 24 hours are reviewed by the AGS team. Chart review is performed on each patient to identify contributing factors and complicated cases are discussed with the endocrinologist prior to contacting the providers or making changes to orders. Providers are given rationale for changes as well as any other recommendations related to glycemic management. Results: During a 3 month period between August and October 2022, 848 cases of hypoglycemia were evaluated. Of these, 450 (53%) were found to be caused by an antihyperglycemic agent and 401 interventions were made by either the AGS team or other providers. The AGS team made 167 (41.6%) interventions and had a 24 h recurrence rate of 8.3% compared to 16.3% for all other providers. The most common types of interventions made by the AGS team were adjusting the insulin correction scale (78), basal insulin (57), bolus/meal insulin (16), oral medications (10), and TPN insulin (3). Conclusion: Our preliminary data show that a pharmacist-driven active surveillance program can reduce hypoglycemic recurrences. In the short time our AGS program has been implemented we have seen in increased utilization of appropriate correction scales, a decreased reliance on basal insulin or correction scale as the sole means of glycemic management, and an increase in endocrinology consultation for glycemic guidance. Future data will show the impact of this program on our overall hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia rates in future. Presentation: Saturday, June 17, 2023