Glycemic Control in Patients Hospitalized in Intensive Care Units: Nursing Role

Anastasios Tzenalis

Department of Nursing, University of Patras, Greece

Dr. Anastasios Tzenalis, Department of Nursing, University of Patras, Greece.

Keywords: Glycemic Control; Critically Ill

Abstract

Glycemic control in patients hospitalized in Intensive Care Units has been a matter of particular importance in recent years. The potentially harmful consequences of hyperglycemia have led to several investigations into intensive insulin treatment strategies aimed at tight glycemic control [1,2].
Poor glycemic control increases morbidity, mortality as well as patient stay in ICUs. Common risk factors include sepsis, severe trauma, extensive surgery, and myocardial infarction. Possible underlying mechanisms include insulin resistance, even in non-diabetic patients, and the release of stress hormones. Revised clinical practice guidelines for the management of patients with sepsis and septic shock recommended a protocol approach to control hyperglycemia. However, designing insulin delivery protocols remains a challenge for clinicians, as most are unsuccessful in achieving blood glycemic targets without increasing the rate of hypoglycemia among patients in the intensive care unit [3,4].

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