The Rowan Hillson Inpatient Diabetes Safety Award 2017 for the best digital initiative

Abstract

Introduction: The annual National Diabetes Inpatient Audit (NaDIA) in the UK continues to show a high incidence of errors in patients admitted to hospital with diabetes. It is clear that new initiatives are urgently required to address this risk.

Methods: The Joint British Diabetes Societies for Inpatient Care (JBDS-IP) organised the fourth national Rowan Hillson Insulin Safety Award on the theme of the best digital initiative to improve insulin and prescribing safety in hospital.

Results: The winner was Western General Hospital team (Edinburgh). The team created diabetes dashboards which helped collect high quality accurate data on capillary blood glucose from patients admitted to the hospital and deliver specific and concise messages to various wards. The team from King’s College Hospital secured runner-up prize for their initiative which enabled reduction in hypoglycaemia during treatment of hyperkalaemia by adding a personalised dose of dextrose to insulin infusion.

Conclusions: These and similar innovations need to be developed, promoted and shared to improve patient safety in hospitalised patients with diabetes.