Intraoperative glycaemic control

Abstract

Although there is strong evidence that supports the appropriate control of intraoperative glycaemic levels, there is little literature we are aware of that assesses how well perioperative physicians manage it.

This project describes an audit of intraoperative glycaemic control at Victoria General Hospital in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. There were 51 surgical patients included in the audit that took place over 19 days. The results showed that 25.5% of patients included in the audit had a blood glucose level outside the ideal range. Due to the association between poor glycaemic control and increased morbidity and mortality, we found this percentage left considerable room for improvement.

We make several recommendations, including the introduction of an evidence-based protocol that guides anaesthetists when to measure and, if clinically indicated, correct intraoperative glycaemic levels.