A Quality Initiative to Improve Glycemic Control in Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Insulin Study

Overview

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of moderate glucose (blood sugar) control in diabetic and non-diabetic patients undergoing leg bypass surgery (LEB) or open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. We hypothesize that use of Fletcher Allen Health Care's current insulin infusion strategy will result in improved blood sugar control which will translate into decreased postoperative morbidity (fewer complications) and better long term outcomes when compared to patient outcomes at other institutions which utilize other blood sugar management strategies.

We plan a concurrent, matched cohort study of moderate postoperative glucose control in patients undergoing leg bypass or open AAA repair. Consecutive patients undergoing elective open AAA repair or leg bypass will be enrolled over a two year period. A population of de-identified patients from other institutions in the region matched for medical problems who did not receive an insulin infusion will be used as a control group. Continuous intravenous insulin protocol The insulin infusion strategy is local standard of care for control of postoperative hyperglycemia after leg bypass surgery. Blood glucose monitoring is standard after open AAA surgery but the method of glucose control could range from sliding scale insulin to the use of an insulin infusion. Diabetic and non-diabetic patients will be placed on the existing Fletcher Allen Health Care standardized algorithm of continuous IV insulin immediately after surgery and continued for 72 hours. The insulin infusion will be initiated if/ when the finger stick blood glucose is greater than or equal to 120 mg/dL, with a target titration goal between 80-150 mg/dL. The insulin infusion will be adjusted based on a defined algorithm in use at Fletcher Allen Health Care. Primary outcome measures: 1. Glycemic control as measured by mean daily glucose levels and mean daily glucose excursions. We will look at the patients' finger-stick records and record the time spent at goal glucose levels, 80 to 150 mg/dL. 2. Surgical site infection (SSI) in-hospital will be defined according to the Centers for Disease Control definition16 as an infection that occurs within 30 days after the operative procedure and involves only skin and subcutaneous tissue of the infection and includes one of the following: 1. purulent drainage from superficial incision 2. organisms isolated from an aseptically obtained culture of fluid or tissue from the superficial incision 3. at least one of the following signs or symptoms of infection: pain or tenderness, localized swelling, redness, or heat and the incision is deliberately opened by the surgeon, and is culture positive or not cultured. Culture negative does not meet this criterion. 4. Diagnosis of superficial incisional SSI by the surgeon or attending. . 3. Surgical site infection at 30 days. Secondary outcome measures: 1. Moderate to severe hypoglycemic or hyperglycemic events as defined by moderate hypoglycemic event as \<66 mg/dl and severe hypoglycemic event as \<50 mg/dl and moderate hyperglycemic event as \>250 mg/dl and severe hyperglycemic event as \>500 mg/dl. 2. Composite cardiac complications: myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure and clinically significant arrhythmias within 30 days of surgery, 3. Hospital length of stay, re-admission and total costs of the hospitalization. Cost data will be obtained through Fletcher Allen Health Care administrative data. At the patient's 4 week follow up they will be asked if since their discharge have they had any health related visits; if so what type and for anything possibly related to the surgical procedure obtain the participants permission (in writing) to gather that data from the other provider.