Evaluation of an implemented new insulin chart to improve quality and safety of diabetes care in a large university hospital: a follow-up study

ObjectivesTo evaluate structure, documentation, treatment quality of a new implemented standardised insulin chart in adult medical inpatient wards at a university hospital.DesignA before–after study (3 to 5 months after implementation) was used to compare the quality of old versus new insulin charts.SettingUniversity Hospital Graz, Austria.ParticipantsHealthcare professionals (n=237) were questioned regarding structure quality of blank insulin charts.InterventionsA new standardised insulin chart was implemented and healthcare professionals were trained regarding features of this chart. Data from insulinised inpatients were evaluated regarding documentation and treatment quality of filled-in insulin charts (n=108 old insulin charts vs n=100 new insulin charts).Main outcomes and measuresThe primary endpoint was documentation error for insulin administration.ResultsHealthcare professionals reported an improved structure quality of the new insulin chart with a Likert type response scale increase in all nine items. Documentation errors for insulin administration (primary endpoint) occurred more often on old than new insulin charts (77% vs 5%, p