Evaluating the Implementation of the EndoTool Glycemic Control Software System.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to compare achievement of glycemic control on insulin drips before and after the implementation of EndoTool, a glucose management software system used in a community hospital setting.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was performed of patients on an insulin drip who were managed before and after implementation of the EndoTool software. Fifty patients were selected for each group. Statistical analyses were run to compare metrics gathered between groups.

RESULTS

Patients in the standard care group were on an insulin drip for an average of 23.9 hours compared to 20.9 hours in the EndoTool group ( = 0.38). Hypoglycemia occurred at an average rate of 0.036 events per patient in the standard group and 0.007 events per patient in the EndoTool group ( = 0.17). The average rate of hyperglycemia was 0.358 events per patient in the standard group and 0.283 events per patient in the EndoTool group ( = 0.25). The average time to achieve the blood glucose target was 2.78 and 3.67 hours in the standard and EndoTool groups, respectively ( = 0.27). Total patient values were within target range 45.2% of the time in the standard care group and 47.3% of the time in the EndoTool group ( = 0.71).

CONCLUSION

Analysis of the implementation of EndoTool in the community hospital setting found no statistically significant differences between groups, although rates of hypo- and hyperglycemia showed a trend toward improved safety in the EndoTool group. These results could be attributed to the conservative parameters the hospital set in the initial phase of EndoTool implementation.