Hillcrest Medical Center Selected to Participate in Inpatient Hyperglycemia Quality Improvement Initiative

Thursday, September 23, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact / For More Information:
Angela Peterson, Media & Public Relations Manager, Hillcrest HealthCare System
918.579.5203 (office) or 918.605.3573 (media cell phone) or anpeters@hillcrest.com

Tulsa, OK – Hillcrest Medical Center has been selected to participate in the Society of Hospital Medicine’s (SHM) Glycemic Control Mentored Implementation (GCMI) Program. This comprehensive program is designed to address the growing problem of hyperglycemia (or high blood sugar) associated with diabetes in the hospital and its detrimental effects on morbidity and mortality.

The program will pair Hillcrest Medical Center staff with mentors who have expertise in glycemic control to tackle site-specific issues using proven quality improvement techniques. The range of issues will include: insulin protocols, infusion insulin and transition to subcutaneous insulin, care coordination, improving follow up care, and having a comprehensive hypoglycemia prevention and management protocol.

The GCMI Program has two primary goals: To improve patient care by achieving measurable reductions in inpatient hyperglycemia as well as hypoglycemia, and to improve education, thereby reducing the human, social and financial costs of high blood sugar. This quality initiative emphasizes awareness, action and control: Awareness of the problem; the appropriate actions staff and patients might take to address it; and the tools to help them achieve better blood sugar control.

Nearly 24 million Americans have diabetes, many of whom are undiagnosed. The proper management of inpatient hyperglycemia is becoming an increasingly urgent need. When diabetes patients are hospitalized, ucontrolled hyperglycemia puts them at increased risk for serious infections, longer hospital stays and other complications, including death.

“Hillcrest Medical Center is proud to be participating in the Glycemic Control Mentored Implementation Program. The high prevalence of hyperglycemia in hospitalized patients calls for a hospital-wide glycemic awareness initiative,” said Tobie Bresloff, MD, Oklahoma Heart Institute Endocrinologist and Chief Quality Officer for Hillcrest Medical Center. “Studies suggest that with the appropriate inpatient management of blood sugar, we may lower the risk of complications for our diabetes patients. Our participation in this nationwide program is part of Hillcrest Medical Center’s mission to provide the best possible healthcare to each and every patient.”

For over 90 years, Hillcrest Medical Center has prided itself in establishing an environment of hope, health and healing. Today, the hospital is among Oklahoma’s most widely respected and acclaimed hospitals, offering extraordinary care in many areas including cardiology, orthopedics, burn care and women’s services. For more information about Hillcrest Medical Center, please visit www.todayshillcrest.com.

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