Location of event |
Cardiac intensive care unit | 3/30 (10.0%) |
Newborn intensive care unit | 3/30 (10.0%) |
Paediatric intensive care unit | 12/30 (40.0%) |
Emergency department | 1/30 (3.3%) |
All other units | 11/30 (36.7%) |
Off the unit | 0/30 (0.0%) |
Dextrose bolus concentrations administered |
50% dextrose | 6/30 (20.0%) |
25% dextrose | 15/30 (50.0%) |
10% dextrose | 9/30 (30.0%) |
Time dextrose bolus given |
07:00–15:00 | 11/30 (36.7%) |
15:00–23:00 | 11/30 (36.7%) |
23:00–07:00 | 8/30 (26.7%) |
How insulin was administered |
Intravenous drip | 18/30 (60.0%) |
Subcutaneous | 12/30 (40.0%) |
Patients with diabetes mellitus | 14/30 (46.7%) |
Nutrition status |
Dextrose via oral or enteral feedings only | 3/30 (10.0%) |
Dextrose via parenteral nutrition only | 24/30 (80.0%) |
Dextrose via a combination of methods | 3/30 (10.0%) |
Other clinical characteristics associated with hypoglycaemic events |
Decreasing glucose levels did not lead to insulin adjustment before the event | 17/30 (56.7%) |
Event related to a dosing or administration error | 2/30 (6.7%) |
Event occurred around the time of a procedure | 2/30 (6.7%) |
Event part of multiorgan failure before death | 2/30 (6.7%) |
Resident not following fellow's recommendation | 1/30 (3.3%) |
First dose of insulin given to patient | 1/30 (3.3%) |
Patient was not taking insulin correctly before admission | 1/30 (3.3%) |
During treatment for hyperkalemia | 1/30 (3.3%) |
None | 3/30 (10.0%) |