Tight glycemic control increases the incidence of hypoglycemia in intensive care unit patients

Abstract

Hyperglycemia is common in critically ill patients. Tight glycemic control (aimed at blood glucose levels of 4.4–6.1 mmol/l) improved the mortality and morbidity in postoperative intensive care patients [1]. Tight glycemic control, however, bares the risk of hypoglycemia. The present study was performed to investigate whether the introduction of a nurse-driven tight glycemic control protocol in two general ICUs increases the incidence of (severe) hypoglycemia.