8757 Contingency Planning in the Event of Insulin Pump Failure or Malfunction - a Quality Improvement Initiative

Abstract Disclosure: S. Avula: None. H. Hashmi: None. A.R. Ankireddypalli: None. S. Inkollu: None. M. Salim: None. A. Ahmed: None. J. Kohlenberg: None. T. Harindhanavudhi: None. Background: People using insulin pump therapy are at risk of adverse outcomes, including hyperglycemia and diabetic ketoacidosis, in the event of pump failure or malfunction. A standing prescription for subcutaneous basal insulin, which can be filled as needed, has the potential to prevent these adverse outcomes. Aim: We aimed to increase the percentage of standing prescriptions for subcutaneous basal insulin by 20 % over 6-month duration for people using insulin pump therapy. Methods: Pre-intervention: We retrospectively obtained baseline electronic health record data for people with diabetes on insulin pump therapy in our health system (M Health Fairview, University of Minnesota) from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2022. Intervention: Over a six-month duration, a multifaceted intervention was implemented. (1) During the rooming process for endocrinology appointments, the medical assistants inquired if the person using insulin pump therapy had a standing prescription for basal insulin in the event of insulin pump failure or malfunction. If not, the medical assistant encouraged the person with diabetes to review this with their Endocrinologist. (2) Informational brochures, placed in the exam rooms, encouraged people using insulin pump therapy to discuss a standing order for basal insulin. (3) Emails were sent to all endocrinology providers to encourage discussion of the provision of a standing prescription for basal insulin for people on insulin pump therapy. Post - intervention: We recorded the number of people with a standing prescription for subcutaneous basal insulin from 5/1/2023 to 5/14/2023. Results: The total number of patients with diabetes on insulin pumps prior to the intervention was 256. Of 256 patients with insulin pump therapy, 109 patients (42.6%) had standing basal insulin prescribed. A post-intervention chart review of patients with diabetes on an insulin pump was conducted for a total of 69 patients, of which 56 patients (81.2%) had backup basal insulin prescribed. The estimation of difference was - 0.3858 (p= <0.05; 95% CI for difference -0.4961, -0.2754). Conclusion: This multipronged approach increased the prescription availability and awareness among providers and patients for a standing order of basal insulin in the event of insulin pump failure or malfunction from 42% to 81%. Limitations of this study include the limited duration of intervention and the need to send repeated reminders to all providers, including clinic staff. The next plan is to create a best practice alert in EMR to alert providers to have a backup basal insulin plan for anyone on an insulin pump. Create a custom dot phrase of insulin backup plan in EMR. Presentation: 6/3/2024