EMSC Pediatric Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) QI Project

Illinois EMSC has launched a statewide quality improvement project regarding the Emergency Department (ED) management of pediatric patients with DKA. The project specifically focuses on children from birth to fifteen years of age who present to the ED with the following diagnostic criteria (either new onset or known diabetes mellitus patient):

• Blood glucose > 200 mg/dL and

• Venous pH < 7.30 and

• Moderate or large ketonuria or ketonemia
  (blood beta-hydroxybutyrate > 3 mmol/L)

EMSC has generated reports discussing the incidence, prevalence and management of these patients, and has prepared related educational resources for providers.