Comprehension of Discharge Instructions for Diabetes Therapy and Hospital Readmission
![]() |
The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Read our disclaimer for details. |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03279627 |
Recruitment Status :
Completed
First Posted : September 12, 2017
Last Update Posted : August 5, 2019
|
- Study Details
- Tabular View
- No Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment |
---|---|
Diabetes Mellitus | Other: Diabetes Management Questionnaire |
Background: Diabetes is a major contributor to hospital readmissions and health care expenditures. Previous studies have attempted to identify risk factors for readmission among patients with diabetes. However, no studies have looked at some potentially important factors including duration of diabetes, HbA1c, glycemic excursions preceding hospital discharge, and patient comprehension of discharge instructions provided for home diabetes management. In this study, we propose to examine patient understanding of instructions for insulin therapy provided at the time of hospital discharge as a potential risk factor for readmission during the following 30- and 90-day time periods. In addition, we will examine the contribution of glycemic excursions obtained in the 48-hour period prior to discharge on patient understanding of insulin therapy and risk for readmission.
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify and explore the existing components of discharge planning provided to patients with insulin treated diabetes in the inpatient setting and to examine the contribution of glycemic excursions as well as comprehension of discharge instructions among patients with diabetes, in predicting hospital readmissions.
Methods: This will be a prospective non-blinded observational study enrolling non-critically ill, non-pregnant, hospitalized patients aged 18-90 years of age with insulin treated diabetes and no evidence of baseline cognitive. The participants will be recruited from August 2017 to December 2018 from the Inpatient Endocrine and Diabetes Consult Services and from daily reports of patients experiencing BG< 70 mg/dL and >300 mg/dL. Eligible participants will be called within 24-48 hours following hospital discharge at which time they will be asked to complete a Diabetes Management Questionnaire to determine their comprehension of the recommendations provided for home-insulin and other diabetes therapies. This questionnaire will include questions about the types of insulin being used, the doses administered, and times given. Patient interviews will be conducted again via a telephone follow up at approximately 30- and 90-days following discharge with specific questions on home blood glucose control and ER or hospital visits and/or readmissions. The Clinical and Translational Science Institute at the University of Pittsburgh will be consulted for statistical analysis.
Study significance:
This study has the potential to identify modifiable factors that can potentially contribute to the observed frequency of hospital readmissions among patients with insulin treated diabetes. This study could also advocate for discharge protocols and close follow up of patients with insulin-treated diabetes following discharge to ensure appropriate understanding of discharge instructions for insulin therapy and home diabetes management.
Study Type : | Observational [Patient Registry] |
Actual Enrollment : | 240 participants |
Observational Model: | Other |
Time Perspective: | Prospective |
Target Follow-Up Duration: | 3 Months |
Official Title: | Association of Glycemic Control With Comprehension of Discharge Instructions for Diabetes Therapy and Hospital Readmission |
Actual Study Start Date : | August 28, 2017 |
Actual Primary Completion Date : | July 1, 2019 |
Actual Study Completion Date : | July 31, 2019 |
Group/Cohort | Intervention/treatment |
---|---|
Hypoglycemia
This group will be those who experience a BG < 70 mg/dl in the 24-48 hour time period preceding hospital discharge. Study procedures are identical for each group. All participants in this group will be asked to complete the Diabetes Management Questionnaire.
|
Other: Diabetes Management Questionnaire
Patients will be asked questions regarding their understanding of instructions for home diabetes management within 48 hours of hospital discharge. At 1 and 3 months, participants will be contacted to obtain information regarding ER visits or hospital readmissions. |
Hyperglycemia
This group will be those who experience a BG > 250 mg/dl in the 24-48 hour time period preceding hospital discharge. Study procedures are identical for each group. All participants in this group will be asked to complete the Diabetes Management Questionnaire.
|
Other: Diabetes Management Questionnaire
Patients will be asked questions regarding their understanding of instructions for home diabetes management within 48 hours of hospital discharge. At 1 and 3 months, participants will be contacted to obtain information regarding ER visits or hospital readmissions. |
Glycemic control
This group will be those who maintain BG of 70 to 250 mg /dl in the 24-48 hour time period preceding hospital discharge. Study procedures are identical for each group, but study outcomes including comprehension of discharge instructions and 1 and 3 month readmissions will be analyzed according to group category.All participants in this group will be asked to complete the Diabetes Management Questionnaire.
|
Other: Diabetes Management Questionnaire
Patients will be asked questions regarding their understanding of instructions for home diabetes management within 48 hours of hospital discharge. At 1 and 3 months, participants will be contacted to obtain information regarding ER visits or hospital readmissions. |
- Patient understanding of discharge instructions for home diabetes therapy according to presence or absence of hypoglycemia (defined as BG < 70 mg/dl), hyperglycemia (defined as BG > 250 mg/dl), or BG 70-250 mg/dl at time of hospital discharge [ Time Frame: within 48 hours of hospital discharge ]Participants will be asked to complete a questionnaire regarding their home diabetes medications including timing, adjusting, and medication names.
- Association between patient understanding of home diabetes therapy and frequency of ER visits and hospital readmissions at 30- and 90-day following the index hospitalization [ Time Frame: 1 and 3 months following index hospitalization ]Questionnaire for ER visits and Hospital Readmission

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contacts provided below. For general information, Learn About Clinical Studies.
Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years to 90 Years (Adult, Older Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Sampling Method: | Non-Probability Sample |
Inclusion Criteria:
- Non-pregnant, non-critically ill, hospitalized patients aged 18-90 years with insulin treated diabetes in the hospital
Exclusion Criteria:
- Patients admitted with primary diagnosis of hypoglycemia, DKA; or Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar Syndrome; patients receiving intravenous narcotic medications; patients discharged to skilled nursing facilities; patients with cognitive impairment defined as dementia or delirium documented in the Electronic Medical Record (EMR); patients with limited life expectancy as determined by "Do Not Resuscitate" Status, or documentation of receiving palliative care or terminal diagnoses with expected survival of less than 1 year

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT03279627
United States, Pennsylvania | |
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center | |
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, 15213 |
Principal Investigator: | Mary T Korytkowski, MD | Univesity of Pittsburgh |
Publications automatically indexed to this study by ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier (NCT Number):
Responsible Party: | Mary Korytkowski, Professor of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT03279627 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
PRO17050222 |
First Posted: | September 12, 2017 Key Record Dates |
Last Update Posted: | August 5, 2019 |
Last Verified: | August 2019 |
Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement: | |
Plan to Share IPD: | No |
Plan Description: | There is no plan to share participant data with other researchers |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product: | No |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product: | No |
inpatient hypoglycemia hyperglycemia hospital readmission discharge planning |
Diabetes Mellitus Glucose Metabolism Disorders Metabolic Diseases Endocrine System Diseases |