Sign in
Introduction
Khalaila and the team noticed that insulin resistance and hyperglycemia are frequent side effects in critically ill patients. Even in patients without a history of diabetes mellitus, the observation supported the presence of the conditions (Khalaila et al., 2011). According to recent data cited in earlier studies, strict glucose controls are associated with subpar clinical outcomes for adults in ICUs. The safe application of the Intravenous Insulin Protocol in the medical ICU was chosen as the study’s focus due to the findings.
Background of the Study
Numerous studies have been done on how blood glucose levels affect patients’ treatment in intensive care units. In particular, regulating blood sugar with insulin is linked to a higher mortality rate in intensive care unit patients. As a result, other research has concentrated on determining how the rise in deaths from ICU admissions and the use of insulin for blood glucose control are related. It would be confirmed that the significance of such findings would help direct nursing practice regarding the responsible and efficient use of insulin in treating patients admitted for intensive care.
Second, the data would help nurses determine the best blood glucose levels for the various in-patients to lower mortality rates. Khalaila and the team’s study also aimed to validate the efficient practices used by nurses to carry out the intravenous insulin protocol. The purpose of the study was to assess the efficacy and safety of the practice of giving insulin to ICU patients to maintain optimal blood glucose levels.
Methods of Research
The study aimed to create a nurse-led “intravenous insulin protocol” to target patient glucose levels between 110 and 149 mg/dl. When the blood glucose level dropped below 70 mg/dl, hypoglycemia was considered according to the protocol. As a result, the study area was the Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem. In the study, patients admitted to the ICU who required an insulin infusion were split into protocol and control groups. Afterward, the procedures were scrutinized and assessed for efficacy and patient security. The measured glucose levels would then be classified as low, moderate, or high.
