Blood Glucose Control in Noncritically Ill Patients Is Associated With a Decreased Length of Stay, Readmission Rate, and Hospital Mortality.

PURPOSE: Multiple studies have shown that hyperglycemia correlates with mortality and morbidity in critically ill patients. This has not been demonstrated in noncritically hospitalized patients. The primary objective of this study was to determine whether glycemic control shortens the length of stay (LOS). Secondary objectives included assessing readmissions, in-hospital mortality, and rates of hypoglycemia.
METHODS: A retrospective review of hospitalized patients admitted between 2008 and 2012 with fingerstick blood sugar (FSBS) was performed. Patients were divided into two groups: "controlled" FSBS (≥80% of FSBS were <180 mg/dL) and "uncontrolled" FSBS (<80% of FSBS were <180 mg/dL). The average LOS (ALOS) in days, in-hospital mortality, readmission rates, and rates of hypoglycemia was compared.
RESULTS: A total of 32,851 patient records were reviewed. ALOS for patients with controlled and uncontrolled FSBS was 5.86 and 6.17 days, respectively (p < .0001). Readmission within 30 days and hospital mortality were significantly lower in patients with controlled FSBS (p = .0000, .00001), whereas rates of hypoglycemia were significantly higher in the uncontrolled group (p = .00000).
CONCLUSIONS: Glycemic control was associated with decreased LOS, hospital mortality, and 30-day readmission rate in noncritically ill patients regardless of the presence or absence of diabetes.