Clinical trial NCT03279627: Comprehension of Discharge Instructions for Diabetes Therapy and Hospital Readmission
Official title: Association of Glycemic Control With Comprehension of Discharge Instructions for Diabetes Therapy and Hospital Readmission
Study type: OBSERVATIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Conditions: Diabetes Mellitus
Keywords: inpatient
hypoglycemia
hyperglycemia
hospital readmission
discharge planning
Lead sponsor: University of Pittsburgh
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2017-09-12
Enrollment: 240
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 18
Maximum age (years): 90
Standard ages: ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Observational model: OTHER
Time perspective: PROSPECTIVE
Sampling method: NON_PROBABILITY_SAMPLE
Study population: Non-critically ill adult patients with diabetes will be recruited during a period of hospitalization for non-critical illness.

Brief summary: The purpose of this study is to identify and explore the existing components of discharge planning provided to patients with insulin treated diabetes in the inpatient setting and to examine the contribution of glycemic excursions as well as comprehension of discharge instructions among patients with diabetes, in predicting hospital readmissions.

Detailed description: Background: Diabetes is a major contributor to hospital readmissions and health care expenditures. Previous studies have attempted to identify risk factors for readmission among patients with diabetes. However, no studies have looked at some potentially important factors including duration of diabetes, HbA1c, glycemic excursions preceding hospital discharge, and patient comprehension of discharge instructions provided for home diabetes management. In this study, we propose to examine patient understanding of instructions for insulin therapy provided at the time of hospital discharge as a potential risk factor for readmission during the following 30- and 90-day time periods. In addition, we will examine the contribution of glycemic excursions obtained in the 48-hour period prior to discharge on patient understanding of insulin therapy and risk for readmission.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify and explore the existing components of discharge planning provided to patients with insulin treated diabetes in the inpatient setting and to examine the contribution of glycemic excursions as well as comprehension of discharge instructions among patients with diabetes, in predicting hospital readmissions.

Methods: This will be a prospective non-blinded observational study enrolling non-critically ill, non-pregnant, hospitalized patients aged 18-90 years of age with insulin treated diabetes and no evidence of baseline cognitive. The participants will be recruited from August 2017 to December 2018 from the Inpatient Endocrine and Diabetes Consult Services and from daily reports of patients experiencing BG\< 70 mg/dL and \>300 mg/dL. Eligible participants will be called within 24-48 hours following hospital discharge at which time they will be asked to complete a Diabetes Management Questionnaire to determine their comprehension of the recommendations provided for home-insulin and other diabetes therapies. This questionnaire will include questions about the types of insulin being used, the doses administered, and times given. Patient interviews will be conducted again via a telephone follow up at approximately 30- and 90-days following discharge with specific questions on home blood glucose control and ER or hospital visits and/or readmissions. The Clinical and Translational Science Institute at the University of Pittsburgh will be consulted for statistical analysis.

Study significance:

This study has the potential to identify modifiable factors that can potentially contribute to the observed frequency of hospital readmissions among patients with insulin treated diabetes. This study could also advocate for discharge protocols and close follow up of patients with insulin-treated diabetes following discharge to ensure appropriate understanding of discharge instructions for insulin therapy and home diabetes management.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Non-pregnant, non-critically ill, hospitalized patients aged 18-90 years with insulin treated diabetes in the hospital

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients admitted with primary diagnosis of hypoglycemia, DKA; or Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar Syndrome; patients receiving intravenous narcotic medications; patients discharged to skilled nursing facilities; patients with cognitive impairment defined as dementia or delirium documented in the Electronic Medical Record (EMR); patients with limited life expectancy as determined by "Do Not Resuscitate" Status, or documentation of receiving palliative care or terminal diagnoses with expected survival of less than 1 year

Primary outcomes:
measure: Patient understanding of discharge instructions for home diabetes therapy according to presence or absence of hypoglycemia (defined as BG < 70 mg/dl), hyperglycemia (defined as BG > 250 mg/dl), or BG 70-250 mg/dl at time of hospital discharge
timeFrame: within 48 hours of hospital discharge
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Association between patient understanding of home diabetes therapy and frequency of ER visits and hospital readmissions at 30- and 90-day following the index hospitalization
timeFrame: 1 and 3 months following index hospitalization
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Pittsburgh
country: United States
facility: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
state: Pennsylvania
Study officials:
affiliation: Univesity of Pittsburgh
name: Mary T Korytkowski, MD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References:
citation: Patel N, Swami J, Pinkhasova D, Karslioglu French E, Hlasnik D, Delisi K, Donihi A, Siminerio L, Rubin DJ, Wang L, Korytkowski MT. Sex differences in glycemic measures, complications, discharge disposition, and postdischarge emergency room visits and readmission among non-critically ill, hospitalized patients with diabetes. BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care. 2022 Mar;10(2):e002722. doi: 10.1136/bmjdrc-2021-002722.