Postoperative Glucose Control

Controlling the risk of infection is a necessary part of postsurgical treatment.

After surgery, doctors and nurses must carefully monitor several areas of a patient's wellbeing, including heart rate, respirations, oxygen saturation level, skin integrity and mental acuity, among many others. Along with these assessments, careful monitoring and controlling of a patient's postoperative glucose levels is also an important element of care.

Significance

According to a 2008 article in "Anesthesiology News," high blood sugar during the postoperative period has been linked to increased risk of infection among surgery patients. After studying approximately 995 patients undergoing major general and vascular surgeries at Brigham and Women's Hospital, researchers found that the rate of postoperative infections increased by 30 percent for every 40-point increase above the normal glucose level of 110 mg/dL.

Methods of Control

Doctors and nurses should regularly measure and record patients' glucose levels before, during and after surgery. In the postoperative period, glucose levels are generally controlled through insulin drips. However, the patient's diet also plays a significant role in maintaining safe glucose levels.

Considerations

Although several studies have indicated that hyperglycemia increases a patient's risk for postoperative infection, additional research is still necessary. As with all types of medical advice, the safe postoperative glucose range may vary from one patient to another. Until further research is done, doctors and nurses should base a patient's safe glucose range on his current health status and medical history.

References

• "Anesthesiology News"; Glucose Control Reduces Post-op Infections; Christina Frangou; July 2008
• Institute for Healthcare Improvement: Maintain Postoperative Glucose Control for Major Cardiac Surgery Patients
• "Los Angeles Times"; To Control the Risk of Infection After Surgery, Control Your Blood Sugar; Karen Kaplan; September 2010
• "Archives of Surgery": Postoperative Hyperglycemia and Surgical Site Infection in General Surgery Patients; Ashar Ata et al.; September 2010