Evaluation of glycemic control metrics for intensive care unit populations.

Glycemic control is an important quality indicator in the management of intensive care unit patients. Tight glycemic control and/or insulin infusion protocols may reduce complications and improve outcomes in certain intensive care unit patients. Unfortunately, a consistent method of describing glycemic control has not been used for this population. A standardized metric is needed to adequately evaluate quality performance as well as interpret and apply the literature. The current glycemic control metrics such as mean, median, mean morning, hyperglycemic index, and time-weighted averages will be analyzed. The complexities associated with reporting glycemic control data for national quality performance will also be reviewed. The goal is to facilitate and propose the selection of a glycemic control metric for critically ill patients that can be universally applied in clinical trials and quality performance standards.