Hospital Harm - Severe Hyperglycemia

This measure assesses the ratio of inpatient hospital days for patients age 18 and older with a hyperglycemic event per the total qualifying inpatient hospital days for that encounter

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Hyperglycemia, i.e., elevated glucose level, is common among hospitalized patients, especially those with preexisting diabetes (Umpierrez et al., 2012), and accounts for over 30% of noncritically ill hospitalized patients (Korytkowski et al., 2022). Hyperglycemia can also affect individuals with no prior history of diabetes and may be induced by medications such as steroids or by parenteral (intravenous) or enteral (tube) feeding.
 

 

 Severe hyperglycemia, i.e., an extremely elevated glucose level, is significantly associated with a range of harms, including increased in-hospital mortality, infection rates, and hospital length of stay (Pasquel et al., 2021; Umpierrez et al., 2012, 2015). Lower rates of inpatient severe hyperglycemia may not only improve care for patients but also may reduce costs for healthcare payers (Krinsley & Jones, 2016). The rate of hyperglycemia varies across hospitals, suggesting opportunities for improvement in inpatient glycemic management (Bersoux et al., 2013; Seisa et al., 2022). The rate of inpatient hyperglycemia can be considered a marker for quality of hospital care, since inpatient hyperglycemia is largely avoidable with proper glycemic management. The use of evidence-based standardized protocols and insulin management protocols have been shown to improve glycemic control and safety (LeRoy & Richard, 2020; Maynard et al., 2015.
It should be noted that this measure does not aim to measure overall glucose control in hospitalized patients; rather, its goal is to assess the occurrence and extent of severe hyperglycemia. This measure is also intended to be used in combination with its companion measure of hypoglycemia (Hospital Harm – Severe Hypoglycemia) to reduce unintended consequences of measurement.

Multiple guidelines address recommended levels of glycemic control, though these do not define severe hyperglycemia:
From Section 16, Diabetes Care in the Hospital, in the Standards of Care in Diabetes by the American Diabetes Association (American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee, 2025):
16.4a Insulin should be initiated or intensified for treatment of persistent hyperglycemia starting at a threshold of ≥180 mg/dL (≥10.0 mmol/L) (confirmed on two occasions within 24 hours) for the majority of critically ill individuals (those in the intensive care unit [ICU]).
16.4b Insulin and/or other glucose-lowering therapies should be initiated or intensified for treatment of persistent hyperglycemia starting at a threshold of ≥180 mg/dL (≥10.0 mmol/L) (confirmed on two occasions within 24 hours) for the majority of noncritically ill  individuals (those not in the ICU).
16.5a Once therapy is initiated, a glycemic goal of 140–180 mg/dL (7.8–10.0 mmol/L) is recommended for most critically ill (those in the ICU) individuals with hyperglycemia. More stringent individualized glycemic goals may be appropriate for selected critically ill individuals if they can be achieved without significant hypoglycemia.
16.5b For noncritically ill individuals (those not in the ICU), a glycemic goal of 100–180 mg/dL (5.6-10.0 mmol/L) is recommended if it can be achieved without significant hypoglycemia.
From Management of Hyperglycemia in Hospitalized Adult Patients in Non-Critical Care Settings: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline (Korytkowski et al., 2022):
Recommendation 1.1
In adults with insulin-treated diabetes hospitalized for noncritical illness who are at high risk of hypoglycemia, we suggest the use of real-time continuous glucose monitoring with confirmatory bedside point-of-care blood glucose (POC-BG) monitoring for adjustments in insulin dosing rather than (POC-BG) testing alone in hospital settings where resources and training are available.
Recommendation 10.1
In adults with no prior history of diabetes hospitalized for noncritical illness with hyperglycemia [defined as blood glucose >140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L)] during hospitalization, we suggest initial therapy with correctional insulin over scheduled insulin therapy (defined as basal or basal/bolus insulin) to maintain glucose targets in the range of 100 to 180 mg/dL (5.6 to 10.0 mmol/L). For patients with persistent hyperglycemia [≥2 POC-BG measurements ≥180 mg/dL (≥10.0 mmol/L) in a 24-hour period on correctional insulin alone], we suggest the addition of scheduled insulin therapy.
Recommendation 10.2
In adults with diabetes treated with diet or noninsulin diabetes medications prior to admission, we suggest initial therapy with correctional insulin or scheduled insulin therapy to maintain glucose targets in the range of 100 to 180 mg/dL (5.6 to 10.0 mmol/L). For hospitalized adults started on correctional insulin alone and with persistent hyperglycemia [≥2 POC-BG measurements ≥180 mg/dL in a 24-hour period (≥10.0 mmol/L)], we suggest addition of scheduled insulin therapy. We suggest initiation of scheduled insulin therapy for patients with confirmed admission blood glucose ≥180 mg/dL (≥10.0 mmol/L).
Recommendation 10.3
In adults with insulin-treated diabetes prior to admission who are hospitalized for noncritical illness, we recommend continuation of the scheduled insulin regimen modified for nutritional status and severity of illness to maintain glucose targets in the range of 100 to 180 mg/dL (5.6 to 10.0 mmol/L).
Remarks
Reductions in the dose of basal insulin (by 10% to 20%) at time of hospitalization may be required for patients on basal heavy insulin regimens (defined as doses of basal insulin ≥0.6 to 1.0 units/kg/day), in which basal insulin is being used inappropriately to cover meal-related excursions in blood glucose.
There is no clinically accepted cutoff for severe hyperglycemia. Studies have used thresholds of >140, >180, >300, >350, and >400 mg/dL, among other values (American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee, 2025; Umpierrez et al., 2012, 2015; Jamesen et al., 2015; Donihi et al., 2011; Mendez et al., 2015; Seisa et al., 2022). Blood glucose level <180 mg/dL is associated with lower rates of mortality and stroke compared with a target glucose <200 mg/dL (Sathya et al., 2013). Glycemic goals may also differ among hospitalized patients. For inpatient management of hyperglycemia in noncritical care, the expert consensus recommends a target range of 100–180 mg/dL (5.6–10.0 mmol/L) for noncritically ill patients with “new” hyperglycemia as well as for people with known diabetes prior to admission. Glycemic levels up to 250 mg/dL (13.9 mmol/L) may be acceptable in select populations (e.g., terminally ill patients with short life expectancy, with advanced kidney failure [and/or on dialysis], at high risk for hypoglycemia, and/or with labile glycemic excursions). In these individuals, less aggressive treatment goals that would help avoid symptomatic hypoglycemia and/or hyperglycemia are often appropriate (American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee, 2025). In older patients with a prior history of severe hypoglycemia, some degree of hyperglycemia may be tolerated to maximize safety. Intensive insulin therapy to target glucose of 100–140 mg/dL in the ICU did not significantly reduce perioperative complications compared with target glucose of 141–180 mg/dL after coronary artery bypass surgery (Umpierrez et al., 2015). The current recommendation is to maintain a blood glucose level between 140-180 mg/dL (7.8-10.0 mmol/L) in both cardiac and non-cardiac ICU patients (Sreedharan et al., 2022).
For patients who present with hyperglycemic crises, neurologic status must be monitored closely, with frequent re-examination. Care should be taken to prevent over-correction of hyperglycemia and hyperosmolarity following initial fluid resuscitation of these patients to prevent cerebral edema, which carries a high mortality rate (Gosmanov et al., 2021).

Decreased score indicates improvement

Reference Type: Citation

Reference Text: 
American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee. (2025). Diabetes Care in the Hospital: Standards of Care in Diabetes—2025. Diabetes Care, 48(Supplement_1), S321–S334. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc25-S016

Reference Type: Citation

Reference Text: 
Bersoux, S., Cook, C.B., Kongable, G.L., & Shu, J. (2013). Trends in glycemic control over a 2-year period in 126 US hospitals. Journal of Hospital Medicine, 8(3), 121–125. https://doi.org/10.1002/jhm.1997

Reference Type: Citation

Reference Text: 
Donihi, A.C., Gibson, J.M., Noschese, M.L., DiNardo, M.M., Koerbel, G.L., Curll, M., & Korytkowski, M.T. (2011). Effect of a targeted glycemic management program on provider response to inpatient hyperglycemia. Endocrine Practice, 17(4), 552-557. https://doi.org/10.4158/EP10330.OR

Reference Type: Citation

Reference Text: 
Gosmanov, A.R., Gosmanova, E.O., & Kitabchi, A.E. (2021). Hyperglycemic crises: diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state. Endotext. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279052/

Reference Type: Citation

Reference Text: 
Jamesen, E., Nevalainen, P.L., Eskelinen, A., Kalliovalkama, J., & Moilanen, T. (2015). Risk factors for perioperative hyperglycemia in primary hip and knee replacements. Acta Orthopaedica, 86(2),175-82. https://doi.org/10.3109/17453674.2014.987064

Reference Type: Citation

Reference Text: 
Korytkowski, M.T., Muniyappa, R., Antinori-Lent, K., Donihi, A.C., Drincic, A.T, Hirsch, I.B., Luger, A., McDonnell, M.E., Murad, M.H., Nielsen, C., Pegg, C., Rushakoff, R.J., Santesso, N., & Umpierrez, G.E. (2022). Management of hyperglycemia in hospitalized adult patients in non-critical care settings: An Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 107(8), 2101–2128. https://doi.org/10.1210/clinem/dgac278

Reference Type: Citation

Reference Text: 
Krinsley, J.S., & Jones, R.L. (2016). Cost analysis of intensive glycemic control in critically ill adult patients. Chest, 129(3), 644-650. https://doi.org/10.1378/chest.129.3.644

Reference Type: Citation

Reference Text: 
LeRoy, L., & Richard, S. (2020). Harms due to diabetic agents (Chapter 8), making healthcare safer III: A critical analysis of existing and emerging patient safety practices. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Retrieved from https://www.ahrq.gov/sites/default/files/wysiwyg/research/findings/making-healthcare-safer/mhs3/diabetes-1.pdf

Reference Type: Citation

Reference Text: 
Maynard, G., Kulasa, K., Ramos, P., Childers, D., Clay, B., Sebasky, M., Fink, E., Field, A., Renvall, M., Juang, P.S., Choe, C., Pearson, D., Serences, B., & Lohnes, S. (2015). Impact of a hypoglycemic reduction bundle and a systems approach to inpatient glycemic management. Endocrine Practice: Official Journal of the American College of Endocrinology and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, 21(4), 355–367. https://doi.org/10.4158/EP14367.OR

Reference Type: Citation

Reference Text: 
Mendez, C.E., Ata, A., Rourke, J.M., Stain, S.C., & Umpierrez, G. (2015). Daily inpatient glycemic survey (DINGS): A process to remotely identify and assist in the management of hospitalized patients with diabetes and hyperglycemia. Endocrine Practice: Official Journal of the American College of Endocrinology and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, 21(8), 927–935. https://doi.org/10.4158/EP14577.OR

Reference Type: Citation

Reference Text: 
Pasquel, F.J., Lansang, M.C., Dhatariya, K., & Umpierrez, G.E. (2021). Management of diabetes and hyperglycaemia in the hospital. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, 9(3), 174–88. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(20)30381-8

Reference Type: Citation

Reference Text: 
Sathya, B., Davis, R., Taveira, T., Whitlatch, H., & Wu, W.C. (2013). Intensity of peri-operative glycemic control and postoperative outcomes in patients with diabetes: a meta-analysis. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 102(1):8-15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diabres.2013.05.003

Reference Type: Citation

Reference Text: 
Seisa, M. O., Saadi, S., Nayfeh, T., Muthusamy, K., Shah, S. H., Firwana, M., Hasan, B., Jawaid, T., Abd-Rabu, R., Korytkowski, M. T., Muniyappa, R., Antinori-Lent, K., Donihi, A. C., Drincic, A. T., Luger, A., Torres Roldan, V. D., Urtecho, M., Wang, Z., & Murad, M. H. (2022). A systematic review supporting the Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline for the management of hyperglycemia in adults hospitalized for noncritical illness or undergoing elective surgical procedures. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 107(8), 2139–2147. https://doi.org/10.1210/clinem/dgac277

Reference Type: Citation

Reference Text: 
Sreedharan, R., Martini, A., Das, G., Aftab, N., Khanna, S., & Ruetzler, K. (2022). Clinical challenges of glycemic control in the intensive care unit: A narrative review. World Journal of Clinical Cases, 10(31), 11260–11272. https://doi.org/10.12998/wjcc.v10.i31.11260

Reference Type: Citation

Reference Text: 
Umpierrez, G., Cardona, S., Pasquel, F., Jacobs, S., Peng, L., Unigwe, M., Newton, C.A., Smiley-Byrd, D., Vellanki, P., Halkos, M., Puskas, J.D., Guyton, R.A., & Thourani, V.H. (2015). Randomized controlled trial of intensive versus conservative glucose control in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery: gluco-CABG trial. Diabetes Care, 38(9), 1665-1672. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc15-0303

Reference Type: Citation

Reference Text: 
Umpierrez, G.E., Hellman, R., Korytkowski, M.T., Kosiborod, M., Maynard, G.A., Montori, V.M., Seley, J.J., & Van den Berghe, G. (2012). Management of hyperglycemia in hospitalized patients in non-critical care setting: An Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 97(1), 16–38. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2011-2098

Inpatient hospitalizations: Includes time in the emergency department (ED) and/or in observation status when the transition between discharge from these encounters and admission to the inpatient encounter is one hour or less.
Hospital days are not defined as midnight-to-midnight but are full 24-hour periods that start at the beginning of the inpatient hospitalization period, excluding the last period before discharge from hospital inpatient if it is less than 24 hours.

The measure is using mg/dL as the unit of measurement for glucose results. Millimoles per liter (mmol/L) should be converted to milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) for reporting this measure. When evaluating for days with a glucose level >300 mg/dL, the first 24-hour period of the inpatient hospitalization is not evaluated to account for potentially poor glucose control outside of the hospital setting or that preceded the start of hospital care. This measure includes two measure observations used to calculate the ratio of the number of inpatient hyperglycemic event days over the total number of eligible inpatient hospital days (<= 10 days) for that encounter. This measure evaluates the first 10 days of an eligible inpatient hospitalization in determining eligible days for the measure observations (i.e., the length of stay is truncated to <=10 days when the length exceeds 10 days). Patients admitted for longer length of stays are likely to have more complex medical conditions
In determining eligible days for the measure observations, this measure does not evaluate the last day if it was less than a 24-hour period.
The “Days in Hospitalization” logic within measure observation 1 (associated with the denominator), in conjunction with other logic, returns the day number (e.g., day 1 to day 10) for each day within the hospitalization period to determine the eligible hospital days (e.g., from day 2 to day 10). The “Days in Hospitalization” logic within measure observation 2 (associated with the numerator), in conjunction with other logic, returns the day number (e.g., day 1 to day 10) for each day within the hospitalization period to determine the eligible hyperglycemic event days (e.g., from day 2 to day 10).
Since the measure does not count any hyperglycemic events that occur in the first 24 hours, day 1 is not considered an eligible hospital day for the measure observations. Eligible days range from day 2 up to day 10. However, the measure does allow day 1 to be counted for the numerator as one of the preceding days for a day where no glucose result is found or a glucose result of a null value is returned. In this instance, the measure could evaluate day 1 as one of the two days preceding the day with no glucose result or glucose result of a null value to see if there was a glucose value >=200 mg/dL on day 1.
Multiple hyperglycemic events can occur during a ‘day,’ but this is still considered one hyperglycemic event day. When multiple glucose results are returned on the same day and all qualify the day as a hyperglycemic event day, the measure uses the result from the glucose test with the earliest date and time.
In this ratio measure, both the denominator and numerator populations flow separately from the same initial population. Therefore, the same exclusion criteria must be applied to both the denominator and numerator to prevent excluded cases from being considered.
The specimen source for the glucose test is blood, serum, plasma, or interstitial fluid, and can be obtained by a laboratory test, a POC test, or a continuous glucose monitor. Glucose test results from urine specimens are not considered.
This eCQM is an episode-based measure. An episode is defined as each inpatient hospitalization or encounter that ends during the measurement period.
This version of the eCQM uses QDM version 5.6. Please refer to the eCQI resource center (https://ecqi.healthit.gov/qdm) for more information on the QDM.

TBD

Inpatient hospitalizations for patients age 18 and older that end during the measurement period, as well as either:

 

  
A diagnosis of diabetes that starts before the end of the encounter; or
 
 

  
Administration of at least one dose of insulin or any hypoglycemic medication that starts during the encounter; or
 
 

  
Presence of at least one glucose value >=200 mg/dL at any time during the encounter.
 

Equals Initial Population

 

  
Inpatient hospitalizations for patients with a glucose result of >600 mg/dL anytime between 1 hour prior to the start of the encounter to 6 hours after the start of the encounter.
 
 

  
Inpatient hospitalizations for patients who have comfort care measures ordered or provided during the encounter.
 
 

  
Inpatient hospitalizations for patients who have a discharge disposition to hospice care at home or in a health care facility.
 

Measure observation 1, associated with the denominator of the ratio: The total number of eligible days of the inpatient hospitalizations that meet the initial population/denominator criteria and do not meet the denominator exclusion criteria.
Measure observation 2, associated with the numerator of the ratio: The total number of hyperglycemic event days during the inpatient hospitalizations that meet the numerator criteria and do not meet the numerator exclusion criteria.

Inpatient hospitalizations for patients with a hyperglycemic event day within the first 10 days of the encounter except during the first 24 hours and the last period before discharge from the hospital if that period is less than 24 hours.
A hyperglycemic event day is defined as:

 

  
A day with at least one glucose value >300 mg/dL.
 

OR

 

  
A day where a glucose test and result was not found or a glucose test returns a null value, and the day was immediately preceded by two contiguous, consecutive days where at least one glucose value during each of the two days was >=200 mg/dL.
 

 

  
Inpatient hospitalizations for patients with a glucose result of >600 mg/dL anytime between 1 hour prior to the start of the encounter to 6 hours after the start of the encounter.
 
 

  
Inpatient hospitalizations for patients who have comfort care measures ordered or provided during the encounter.
 
 

  
Inpatient hospitalizations for patients who have a discharge disposition to hospice care at home or in a health care facility.
 

For every patient evaluated by this measure also identify payer, race, ethnicity and sex
This measure also identifies inpatient hospitalizations for recent recipients of solid organ transplants (SOTs) and for patients receiving pulse glucocorticoid therapy.