Abbreviations: DKA, diabetic ketoacidosis; AGRO, anion gap re-opening; ADA, american diabetes association; CPOE, computerized physician order entry
Introduction BackgroundDiabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a rare yet serious hyperglycemic complication of diabetes. In 2009, there were 140,000 hospitalizations for DKA with an average hospital stay of 3.4days. Common precipitating factors include insulin omission, infection, acute cardiovascular event, acute endocrine events, and surgical procedures. The majority of patients experiencing DKA are between the ages of 45 and 65, with two-thirds of patients with a diagnosis of type one diabetes.
1,2DKA occurs as a result of insulin deficiency and increased counter-regulatory hormones. These metabolic alterations lead to lipolysis and hepatic fatty acid oxidation to ketone bodies, leading to ketonemia and metabolic acidosis. DKA is diagnosed based on decreased arterial pH, a serum bicarbonate less than 18mEq/L, presence of urine and serum ketones, and an anion gap >12. American Diabetes Association recommended management of DKA includes treatment with intravenous crystalloid fluids and providing regular insulin while managing electrolyte derangements. Recommended insulin dosing regimens include 0.1unit/kg IV bolus with 0.1unit/kg/ hr IV continuous insulin infusion or 0.14units/kg/hr without a bolus. Unless the episode of DKA is mild, patients should be treated with continuous intravenous insulin until blood glucose <200mg/dl and two of the following criteria are met: serum bicarbonate ≥15mEq/L, venous pH >7.3, or anion gap ≤12mEq/L. At this point, the patient may be transitioned to subcutaneous insulin therapy.
3The anion gap is an approximate measurement of ions, and an elevated anion gap will occur when there is an excess of anions to cations in the blood. In DKA, an elevated anion gap indicates that lactate is continuing to be produced and thus, the body has not yet been able to achieve normal insulin-glucose regulation. Closure of the anion gap is a marker utilized by ADA to indicate that DKA has resolved. 4 Literature evaluating diabetic ketoacidosis is limited and has yet to evaluate factors leading to anion gap re-opening (AGRO).
ObjectiveThe purpose of this quality improvement project was to identify factors leading to anion gap-reopening as well as areas of improvement in the glycemic management of patients with diabetic ketoacidosis at a large academic medical center. The primary objective was incidence of AGRO, defined as an anion gap >15. Anion gap >15 was chosen as this was defined as the upper limit of normal within our computerized physician order entry (CPOE) system, despite the American Diabetes Association (ADA) guidelines recommendation to target an anion gap of 10-12.
AbstractPurpose: The purpose of this quality improvement project is to identify factors leading to gap re-opening.
Methods:This study was a single-centered, retrospective chart review. The population included all adult patients admitted to a large academic medical center from December 201...