Glucommander: Your roadmap to reduced hospital readmission rates

By Jordan Messler, MD, SFHM, FACP, Chief Medical Officer, Glytec

Readmission rates are a key indicator of hospital quality, and high readmission rates following certain diagnoses and procedures can lead to penalties from CMS under the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP).¹

While several variables can impact readmission rates, controlling patient blood glucose is an important factor. Hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia have both been proven to correlate with increased readmission rates.²

In a study of over 43,659 patients admitted to 7 hospitals over a 12-month period, patients who experienced hypo- and hyperglycemia were found to be readmitted more often than patients who didn’t.

Glytec’s Glucommander can help reduce readmission rates and deliver ROI by improving glycemic control.³

Navigating the path to reduced readmission rates

Glucommander is a glycemic management software that can integrate with a hospital’s electronic medical record (EMR) and laboratory information system (LIS). It provides a guided workflow, safety alerts and surveillance—helping providers improve patient safety.

The only cloud-based, FDA-cleared software able to personalize IV and SubQ insulin dosing support, Glucommander delivers personalized dosing recommendations that help improve patient outcomes:

• Get patients into target blood glucose range faster.⁴
• Enable tighter controls of patient blood glucose.⁶
• Guide transitions from IV insulin to subcutaneous insulin.

Clear roads ahead: Evidence of reduced readmission rates

Researchers compared the use of Glucommander to Standard Care in 3,198 patients who were admitted to a 13-hospital health system in 2015.

All patients in the study were undergoing treatment for acute myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure or coronary artery bypass grafting procedures.

Patients treated with Standard Care were more likely to be readmitted than patients treated with Glucommander. In fact, due to improved glycemic control, readmission reduction only happened with Glucommander. ³

Glycemic control using Glucommander can effectively reduce the rate of readmission for patients with cardiovascular disease who need insulin management.³

Glucommander helped one 610-bed regional medical center save over $7 million in the first year.⁷

Buckle up for improved outcomes

Reducing readmissions is just one way Glytec’s Glucommander improves patient safety and reduces costs for hospitals. Glucommander has also been proven to:

• Reduce the incidence of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.⁵
• Reduce average length of stay.⁷
• Save clinicians time.^7,8

References: 

1. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP). 24 August, 2020. https://www. cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/AcuteInpatientPPS/Readmissions-Reduction-Program
2. Financial Implications of Poor Glycemic Management & Improvement Strategies for Optimal Outcomes. IHI Annual National Forum on Quality Improvement in Health Care, Dec 2018.
3. Relationship Between Glycemic Control Using Glucommander and Readmission Rates in Cardiovascular Patients Hospitalized with AMI, CHF or Undergoing CABG During the Implementation of a System Wide Glycemic Initiative. Annual Diabetes Technology Meeting, Nov 2016.
4. Comparative Effectiveness of a Computerized Algorithm Versus a Physician Instituted Protocol to Manage Insulin Infusions After Cardiac Surgery. HMO Research Network Conference, Apr 2014.
5. Comparison of Hyperglycemia Management Protocols in the ICU: Standard Protocol versus Glucommander. American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions, Jun 2019.
6. Hospitalization Costs and Clinical Outcomes in CABG Patients Treated with Intensive Insulin Therapy. Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications, Apr 2017.
7. Safely Converting From Sliding Scale to Basal Bolus Insulin Across an Entire Medical Center via Implementation of Glucommander. American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions, June 2017.
8. New Interfaces for Glucommander Save Nursing Time and Improve Patient Outcomes: Time and Motion Nursing Study. American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists Scientific & Clinical Congress, May 2014.