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Major Medical Associations Call For Better Blood Glucose Management in Hospitalized Patients

Posted on: Wednesday, 1 February 2006, 12:00 CST

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE), American College of Endocrinology (ACE b the scientific and educational arm of AACE) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) have joined forces to develop strategies for management of adult patients with high blood glucose (sugar) in hospitals. Co-sponsored by ten other major medical associations, AACE and ADA released a new position statement today on improving inpatient glycemic control at a joint consensus conference.

Awareness about the importance of glycemic control in the hospital setting has increased as result of the ACE Consensus Development Conference on Inpatient Diabetes and Metabolic Control in 2003. In order to suggest a plan for better care, AACE and ADA came together to conduct the "Improving Inpatient Diabetes Care: A Call to Action Conference - Consensus Development Conference," Jan. 30 and 31, in Washington, D.C.

Conference Background

Leading endocrinologists and other medical specialists along with health care organizations and allied health professionals reviewed research on blood glucose management and recommended principles and strategies for improving patient care. Other organizations that participated in this landmark conference included American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, American Association of Diabetes Educators, American College of Cardiology, American College of Endocrinology, American Heart Association, American Society of Anesthesiologists, Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, Society of Critical Care Medicine, Society of Hospital Medicine and Veterans Health Administration.

"The 2003 conference launched a dialogue among leading organizations who agreed that the problem of inpatient blood glucose control needed to be addressed," stated Etie S. Moghissi, MD, FACE, AACE co-chair. "We convened this meeting to further develop strategies and eliminate the roadblocks for implementation of intensive glycemic control."

"This week's conference reviewed recent data, looked at multiple inpatient programs and new technologies that are achieving success and made recommendations for improved patient care," stated Vivian Fonseca, MD, FACE, ADA co-chair. "This conference also increased awareness of the importance of glycemic control among various stakeholders."

Recommendations

Following the conference, a writing panel convened to develop a position statement outlining its recommendations. Some of the recommendations outlined by the writing panel include:

-- Identify elevated blood glucose in all hospitalized patients.

-- Establish a multidisciplinary team approach to diabetes management in all hospitals.

-- Implement structured protocols for aggressive control of blood glucose in both intensive care units and other hospital settings.

-- Create educational programs for all hospital personnel caring for people with diabetes.

-- Plan for a smooth transition to outpatient care with appropriate diabetes management.

For more information on these and other recommendations, see the conference position statement at http://www.aace.com or http:// www.diabetes.org.

Glycemic Control for Hospitalized Patients With Diabetes - At a Glance

-- At least one out of every four hospitalized patients has diabetes -- many are unaware they have the disease

-- Diabetes is the most expensive chronic disease in the United States

-- The cost of inpatient diabetes care is estimated at $40 billion -- the single largest component of its direct medical costs

-- 29 percent of all cardiac surgery patients have diabetes

-- Blood glucose control reduces complications and infections, saves lives, shortens length of hospital stays and reduces costs

Glycemic Control for Hospitalized Patients Without Diabetes b At a Glance

-- For every two patients in the hospital with known diabetes, there may be an additional one with newly noted hyperglycemia

-- Patients with reduced blood glucose levels have associated significant reductions in mortality and length of stay in the Intensive Care Unit

-- Hyperglycemia (high blood glucose) is uniformly present in critical illness

-- Hyperglycemia is an independent predictor of infection in patients with diabetes undergoing heart surgery

-- Concern about hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) can be a major barrier to improved glycemic control

For a copy of the complete position statement and other supporting documents from the conference, visit AACE online at http:/ /www.aace.com or the ADA Web site at http://www.diabetes.org.

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AACE is a professional medical organization with nearly 5,300 members in the United States and 84 other countries. Founded in 1991, AACE is dedicated to the optimal care of patients with endocrine disorders. AACE initiatives inform the public about endocrine diseases. AACE also conducts continuing education programs for clinical endocrinologists, physicians whose advanced, specialized training enables them to be experts in the care of endocrine disorders such as diabetes, IRS, thyroid disorders, growth hormone deficiency, osteoporosis, cholesterol disorders, hypertension and obesity.

The ADA is the nation's leading nonprofit health organization providing diabetes research, information and advocacy. Founded in 1940, the ADA conducts programs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, reaching hundreds of communities. The ADA mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. To fulfill this mission, the ADA funds research, publishes scientific findings, provides information and other services to people with diabetes, their families, health professionals and the public. The Association is also actively involved in advocating for scientific research and for the rights of people with diabetes.

http://www.usnewswire.com

Source: U.S. Newswire

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