Effects of Hyperglycemia on Adults Hospitalized With Sepsis

Abstract

<p>Infectious sepsis (IS) is the result of a complex infection that is difficult to identify, diagnosis and treat. The gold standard for treatment of IS is early identification and intervention. There is a rise in patients with IS along with a concurrent rise of adults with Diabetes Mellitus (DM). Adults with DM are more susceptible to acute illness due to the multiple body systems affected by DM. Acute illness in adults with DM leads to increased blood glucose levels that become difficult to treat. Extreme elevations of blood glucose are linked to longer lengths of stay and higher mortality rates in adults with IS. Surviving Sepsis Campaign recommends blood glucose levels to be controlled below 180mg/dl for all adults with and without diabetes. The purpose of this research study was to identify if a relationship exists between hyperglycemia, hyperlactatemia, hospital length of stay and mortality rates in septic adults with diabetes (Group A) and without diabetes (Group B). Findings of the study did not project what was predicted regarding hyperglycemia, however high lactate levels were associated with longer lengths of stay and higher mortality rates as predicted. This retrospective, two group design study found adults without diabetes had longer lengths of stay and higher mortality rates than adults with diabetes indicating poorly controlled glucose levels in nondiabetic adults with sepsis may impact patient outcomes. APRN’s can be instrumental in implementing change in patient care and hospital policy by providing evidenced based practice by following practice standards established at a national level such as the Surviving Sepsis Campaign.</p>