Determining factors influencing hospital stay for individuals admitted with diabetes-related ketoacidosis – findings from DEKODE length of stay quality improvement project

There are significant variations in discharge post-diabetes-related ketoacidosis (DKA) hospitalisation, yet there is a paucity of research to understand or minimise the reasons. This quality improvement project (QIP) aimed to identify reasons for post-DKA discharge delays and assess intervention efficacy. Utilising the Digital Evaluation of Ketosis and Other Diabetes-related Emergencies (DEKODE) model, data from 177 DKA episodes from January 2021 to September 2023 across three hospitals were analysed. Factors affecting discharge were investigated through a plan, do, study, act (PDSA) methodology. While interventions focused on optimising data collection and refining discharge guidelines, no significant reduction in DKA duration or length of stay was observed. Findings highlight post-DKA hospitalisation's multifaceted nature and the limited impact of simple interventions. Collaborative efforts and further research are necessary to develop effective strategies for expedited discharge and improved patient care. This study's comprehensive tracking and analysis tool offers valuable insights for future interventions in managing DKA-related hospitalisations.