A 4 week prospective, randomized controlled study was carried out to assess the impact of a care delivery intervention which focused on blood glucose (BG) management among adults with type 2 diabetes presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) with BG \> 200mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L). The intervention was designed by a multi-disciplinary team of ED physicians and nurses, endocrinologists and diabetes educators. The intervention incorporated three components: a guideline-based algorithm for diabetes medication management; survival skills diabetes self-management education (DSME); and support for health system navigation. The control group received usual care per the ED's policies and procedures for management of high blood glucose.
We evaluated a concise diabetes care delivery intervention designed to advance glycemic medications and deliver diabetes self-management education (DSME) among adults with type 2 diabetes presenting to the emergency department (ED) with uncontrolled hyperglycemia. The primary hypothesis was that there would be improvement in HbA1c. A 4 week, randomized controlled trial provided algorithm-based antihyperglycemic medications management, survival skills DSME and navigation to primary care for ED patients with BG \> 200mg/dL. Medications were titrated and DSME delivered by endocrinologist-supervised certified diabetes educators. Controls received usual care.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
101
As above plus- Follow-up intervention visits were at 24-72 hrs, 2 and 4 weeks. During each, further DSME was provided, BG logs reviewed, and diabetes medications adjusted as needed by the CDE. Meter and insulin injections skills were reinforced as needed. Outpatient navigation included securing a primary care appointment no later than 4 weeks after study completion. Final contact was via telephone at 90 days. The MMS© (Morisky Medication Adherence Survey) was taken at 2 and 4 weeks and during the final telephone visit. Interim return visits to the ED or admissions to the hospital were queried at each visit. A follow up HbA1C was obtained at week 4 using the POC A1CNow+ ®, and a venous HbA1C was drawn if the POC result was above 13% .
MedStar Washington Hospital Center
Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States
Hemoglobin A1C at 4 Weeks
Hemoglobin A1C at index/baseline visit in the ED and at 4 weeks. A1C was measured using the Bayer A1C-Now+ point of care test system device. If the reading was over 13%, the upper limit of the assay, a venous sample A1C was sent to the hospital lab for analysis.
Time frame: 4 weeks
Medication Adherence
Score on 8 item Modified Morisky Medication Scale used to assess medication adherence. This scale is a structured and widely used self reported questionnaire used to assess medication taking behaviors.The total score ranges from 0 to 8. A score of 0 is considered "high"adherence, 1 to 2 is considered "medium" adherence, and \>2 is considered "low" adherence.
Time frame: 4 weeks
Blood Glucose < 180mg/dL
Number of patients in each group with BG \< 180 mg/dl at 4 weeks from baseline
Time frame: 4 weeks
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia was defined as BG \< 70mg/dL. Severe hypoglycemia was defined as BG \<40mg/dL and/or requiring assistance to treat. We tracked the total number of hypoglycemia episodes in each group.
Time frame: 4 weeks
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