Morbidity reduction in critically ill trauma patients through use of a computerized insulin infusion protocol: a preliminary study.

BACKGROUND Recent data have demonstrated that intensive glycemic control during critical illness improves outcome. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the effect of a computerized hospital insulin protocol (CHIP) on glycemic control and outcome in critically ill trauma patients. METHODS Two, 6-month cohorts were compared, one 6 months prior to chip implementation (pre-CHIP) and one from the 6-month period after implementation (post-CHIP), using finger stick blood glucose values and demographic, injury severity, and outcome variables for adult patients with intensive care unit length of stay (LOS) > or =72 hours. Infectious morbidity was based upon the National Trauma Registry of the American College of Surgeons definitions. Differences between cohorts were assessed using Student's t test and Fisher's exact test for continuous and categorical variables. RESULTS The 129 pre- and 128 post-CHIP patients were well matched for demographics and injury severity. Significant reductions in mean finger stick blood glucose, rates of ventilator- associated pneumonia, central venous line infection, total infections, and all LOS categories were demonstrated in the post-CHIP cohort. However, mortality was significantly higher in the post-CHIP cohort. CONCLUSION This preliminary study demonstrates significant morbidity and LOS reductions with the use of a CHIP, but significantly increased mortality. Further prospective studies are necessary to assess the effects of intensive glycemic control on outcome after injury, particularly in sub populations who might be adversely affected.