Detection, prevention, and treatment of hypoglycemia in the hospital

Abstract

The threat of hypoglycemia is one barrier to providing optimal glycemic control in the inpatient setting. Prevention is key in ensuring patient safety. Identifying risk factors, implementing protocols, avoiding traditional sliding scale insulin regimens, and changing unsafe prescribing behaviors are ways to avoid severe hypoglycemic events. Reviewing hypoglycemia signs and symptoms with the entire inpatient team, including patients and their significant others, allows for early detection and treatment. Establishing and publishing a simple treatment protocol affords prompt action to appropriately treat various stages of hypoglycemia.