Computerized insulin order sets can lead to unanticipated consequences

Computerized order sets for medication management were recently shown to be associated with increased patient safety risks in primary care setting. This study was aimed at demonstrating similar phenomenon in a hospital setting. After introduction of computerized order set targeting hypoglycemia, the frequency of hypoglycemia significantly decreased from 1/1/07 to 12/31/08. However, the frequency of hyperglycemia also increased at the same time from 1/1/07 to 12/31/07. Only after subsequent introduction of a hospital-wide standardized insulin order set including hyperglycemia policies, the frequency of hyperglycemic episodes declined. Hypo/hyperglycemia is associated with adverse clinical outcomes in the inpatient setting. Retroactive analysis showed that if hypoglycemic and hyperglycemic policies were introduced simultaneously, unexpected increase in frequency of hyperglycemic episodes could have been avoided. These data are informative in identifying unanticipated consequences of an insulin management order sets focused entirely on hypoglycemia. A balanced approach in implementing insulin management EMR order sets that concurrently addresses both hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia policies is warranted.