The Problem
- Medication errors leading to hypoglycemic events
- Opportunity to improve insulin management
- Command challenge of resistance to change among staff
The Solution
With Glucommander IV and SubQ, Genesis HealthCare System experienced a reduction in hypoglycemia and potentially avoided high costs due to strong utilization.
Genesis HealthCare System (GHS) is the largest healthcare provider in its six-county region in southeastern Ohio. Despite their steadfast commitment to delivering quality, compassionate patient care and being recognized throughout the country with numerous awards and accreditations, they needed to improve medication errors, which were causing a significant number of preventable hypoglycemic events.
They found a solution in Glytec’s Glucommander, designed to support compliance and quality measures through point-of-care insulin dosing and visibility.
With Glucommander IV and SubQ, GHS experienced:
%
less hypoglycemia
%
less severe hypoglycemia
* compared to literature benchmark
An implementation team that’s “on it”
As part of the high reliability organization committee for GHS, Karen Krofft, Administrative Director of Nursing Support Services, was tasked with finding a way to improve medication errors, which also meant reducing hypoglycemic events. Their Director of Pharmacy at the time discovered Glytec at a conference, and after going back and forth with demos and approvals among medical and financial staff, GHS went live with Glucommander IV in August of 2023, and SubQ in September of 2024.
Although implementation was staggered between IV and SubQ, the Glytec staff made it a smooth transition for Krofft and her team. Glytec also gave GHS access to any resources they needed to make go-live a success.
“I appreciate all the resources Glytec provided—updated PowerPoints for our meetings, the smartsheet, and all the education,” says Krofft. “If we had a question, they were quick to answer. The implementation team was just on it.”
Navigating the challenges of change management
Resistance to change among existing staff was a significant challenge for GHS. But as new staff came on, buy-in became easier to attain. “It took a lot of chatting and discussing,” says Krofft, “but we got them on board.”
It didn’t take long for GHS to see the value in Glucommander, as it’s common for their staff to praise reduced hypoglycemic events due to IV. “Less hypoglycemic events mean less stress on the nursing staff and less stress on the patients,” says Krofft.
Over 12 months, Glucommander was used to treat almost 1,300 patients across GHS’ three facilities. This strong and consistent utilization led to excellent hypoglycemic rates—63% less hypoglycemia, 95% less severe hypoglycemia, and estimated nearly $500k in avoided costs compared to the usual care literature benchmark.
Overall, potentially 153 hypoglycemia events were avoided and they estimated a reduction in ICU length of stay.
“If we had a question, they were quick to answer. The implementation team was just on it.”
Karen Krofft
Administrative Director of Nursing Support Services, Geneses HealthCare System
Approaching new CMS mandates with confidence
Mandatory reporting of diabetes eCQMs begins January 2026, impacting payments in 2028, with severe hypo- and hyperglycemia being the two relevant measures. With built-in tools and workflows to improve patient safety and reporting measures, Glytec is helping GHS prepare for these coming regulatory changes.
“This upcoming CMS mandate will shed a lot of light across the country for those who don’t have the ability to do what Glucommander does,” says Krofft. “It’s going to be a good thing.”
With Glytec, GHS already has a good handle on eCQM data and even has a dedicated nurse responsible for reporting to CMS. “Our medical staff and leadership are all aware of the metrics we need to report,” says Krofft. “We feel confident.”
With Glucommander IV and SubQ, GHS avoided nearly $500k in costs.
An ongoing relationship based on shared goals
As GHS and Glytec work toward a shared goal of improved patient safety, their ongoing relationship requires open communication and the flexibility to solve unique challenges.
“Glytec has opened my eyes on what to look for and what questions to ask,” says Krofft. “They always figure out the answer.”
GHS is proud of their rich history of serving the community and vows to continue the tradition of caring with compassion, integrity, innovation, teamwork, and excellence. Glytec is honored to help GHS drive toward these goals as we continue to revolutionize insulin management and improve the lives of providers and those they serve.
Results to date
- 63% less hypoglycemia and 95% less severe hypoglycemia compared to literature benchmark
- Estimated nearly $500k in costs avoided compared to literature-based benchmark
- Preparedness for upcoming CMS eCQM mandates
* Customer results may vary
