Hospitals in pursuit of excellence

Task Force to Decrease Hypoglycemia Events

The St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center created a Hypoglycemic Task Force to recognize and decrease inpatient hypoglycemic events in hopes of positively impacting patient care experience and overall population health. This team of inter-professionals use education and standardized protocols to:

• Evaluate hypoglycemic episodes daily
• Provide guidelines on insulin regimens and daily dose procedures to pharmacies and providers
• Identify patients on insulin with a hypoglycemic event in electronic health records

As a result, the task force recognized a 44 percent decrease in severe hypoglycemia events and a 66 percent decrease in repeat episodes.

This case study is part of the HANYS Triple Aim series highlighting how New York hospitals are improving health, enhancing quality and reducing costs. Hospitals, nursing homes, and home care agencies across New York state are pursuing the Triple Aim. In spite of fiscal constraints, its members are embracing the challenge of transforming health care and are implementing new and innovative approaches to delivery.