Elevated Blood Glucose Levels in the Emergency Department: Missed Opportunity for Informing and Referring
The purpose of this research was to examine (1) the rates of elevated blood glucose ≥ 150 mg/dL in adults without a prior history of diabetes, receiving care for a non-diabetes related visit to the ED and (2) Emergency Department provider patterns for informing and referring discharged Emergency Department patients for follow-up of elevated random blood glucose levels. A descriptive, correlational, cross-sectional design, with purposive sample was used. Retrospective chart review was done for patients age 18 and older, treated in two EDs from March 1, 2010 through March 22, 2010. Significant relationships were found between blood glucose level and BMI, previous blood glucose level ≥ 150 mg/dL, age, and reason for visit. Twenty five hundred and fifty five patients' were seen over the 9-day study period. Fourteen hundred and forty patients had a random blood glucose level resulted by the lab. 106 patients had a blood glucose level ≥ 150 mg/dL without a history of diabetes. Forty-two and a half percent (n=45) of the 106 patients were discharged, 50% (n=53) were admitted, and the rest (n=8) were transferred to another hospital or a psychiatric unit for admission. Of those discharged (n=45), only one patient (2.2%) was informed about the elevated blood glucose level and referred for follow-up.
Rouse, Melissa D., PhD, RN, CNS-BC, CEN, HACP, CPHQ
Blood Glucose levels, Emergency Department, informing, Non-Diabetes patients, nursing, referring
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