Table 2

Median arterial blood glucose


All samples
median (IQR)
12 hours in ICU
median (IQR)
> 12 hours in ICU
median (IQR)

Before algorithm (2004–5)
6.6 (5.6 – 7.7)
n = 15009
7.1 (5.9 – 8.8)
n = 1591
6.5 (5.6 – 7.6)
n = 13418
After algorithm (2006)
5.9 (5.1 – 7.0)
n = 24459
6.9 (5.4 – 8.6)
n = 2928
5.9 (5.0 – 6.8)
n = 21531

Median blood glucose values (IQR = interquartile range) of all samples obtained before and after implementation of an algorithm of strict glycaemic control. Differences between pre- and post algorithm values were significant for all subsets (Mann-Whitney's test). Mean blood glucose values in 2004–5 and 2006 were 6.82 and 6.25 mmol/L, respectively (mean difference 0.58 mmol/L, 95% confidence interval 0.54 to 0.62; p < 0.001; "mixed model analysis").

Alm-Kruse et al. BMC Nursing 2008 7:1   doi:10.1186/1472-6955-7-1