Sugar, We’re Going Down: Nurse’s Perceptions of Calculation Process for Patients on Insulin Drip
Purpose
The study’s purpose was to describe ICU nurses’ experiences with current manual paper guided insulin calculation procedures.
Background and significance
Patients in the ICU are placed on insulin drip for multiple reasons with the goal of normalizing capillary blood glucose (CBG). If left untreated, infections, longer stay, and increased mortality may occur.
Paper guided insulin protocols may be difficult to follow causing calculation errors, delays in titration, patient care pauses and hypoglycemia.
Theoretical/Conceptual framework
The IOWA model guided this project.
Method
All ICU nurses (45) from a midwestern two-time Magnet recognized hospital were invited via email to participate in an anonymous RedCap survey which included modified versions of the Positive and Negative Effectiveness of Technology Use and the Usefulness, Satisfaction and Ease of Use questionnaires. They were not aware of plans to implement an electronic insulin calculation technology when they completed the survey.
Results
A 47% response rate was obtained during phase one of this study from mostly female (90.48%), Caucasian (42.85%) nurses with 9.86 years of critical care experience who (90.48%) didn’t have familiarity with computer guided insulin programs. Most felt the current paper guided insulin drip calculation procedures didn’t contribute to faster or easier completion of nursing duties.
Conclusions
ICU nurses did not perceive that paper guided insulin drip calculations were effective. The next phase of this research will determine if implementation of computerized insulin program will increase nurses' satisfaction and lower rates of patient's hypoglycemia.
Sugar, We’re Going Down: Nurse’s Perceptions of Calculation Process for Patients on Insulin Drip
