ODP628 Quality Improvement Project (QIP) On Management Of Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) In Adults In A District General Hospital.

AIM: A Quality Improvement Project was conducted to assess if Bedford Hospital NHS Foundation Trust was meeting current Trust guidelines for the diagnosis and management of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in adult patients. Method Retrospective data was collected from adult patients admitted with a diagnosis of DKA from January 2020 to December 2020. Data was collected for five key standards based on Trust guidelines: (1) Correct diagnosis of DKA, (2) Correct prescription of Intravenous (IV) fluids and potassium chloride (KCL) replacement, (3) Switching from Fixed Rate Intravenous Insulin Infusion (FRIII) to Variable Rate Intravenous Insulin Infusion (VRIII) following resolution of DKA, (4) The prescription of long-acting insulin during FRIII/VRIII and (5) Appropriate biochemical monitoring via regular venous blood gases (VBGs). Following data analysis, an intervention phase (with distribution of 'DKA diagnosis and management' posters, DKA teaching sessions and email updates on DKA management for medical doctors) was implemented. The cycle was repeated a further two times, with the most recent cycle based on patients admitted between August to November 2021. RESULTS: The first cycle consisted of 25 patients. Results showed a 72% adherence to Standard 1, a 64% adherence to Standard 3 and a 76% adherence to Standard 5. There was a notably low adherence to Trust guidelines for Standards 2 and 5, which were 32% and 12% respectively. After the intervention phases described earlier, results from the final cycle of 20 patients admitted between August to November 2021 showed significant improvement in standards 1,3 and 4 with 90%, 100% and 100% adherence to Trust guidelines respectively. Although there was a slight improvement in biochemical monitoring of patients with regular VBGs (20% adherence in the final cycle versus 12% in the first cycle), the correct prescription of IV fluids and KCL replacement remained low (17% adherence in the final cycle versus 32%). CONCLUSION: Awareness and diagnosis of DKA remains high at Bedford Hospital, however there are issues regarding the ongoing management of DKA patients. In particular, the correct prescription of IV fluids with KCL replacement, and regular biochemical monitoring. There is still a lack of awareness as to the appropriate rate of IV fluid resuscitation, and the correct monitoring and replacement of potassium, as well as pH. Recommended changes to improve DKA management are to expand teaching sessions to include Emergency Department (ED) doctors, as well as ED and medical nursing staff, to improve awareness of the correct management and diagnosis of DKA. Further emphasis will be placed on keeping a paper copy of the Trust Adult DKA management protocol in the patients’ notes. Presentation: No date and time listed