Table 1.

The pros and cons of several insulin regimens used in the ICU for patients with diabetes and COVID-19 on continuous tube feeding

	Insulin infusion, i.v.	Basal insulin q12h + Regular insulin q6h for correction	NPH insulin q8h + Regular insulin q8h for correction	Regular insulin q6h
Contact frequency/day	24	4	3	4
Glycemic control	++++ (best)	+++	++	+
Glycemic variability	+ (lowest)	++	+++	++++
Risk of hypoglycemia upon TF interruption	—	++++	+++	++
Mitigation protocol	Relax the target blood glucose and test q2–4h	Reduce doses of basal insulin and add fixed doses of Regular insulin q6h plus correction by Regular insulin q6h	No mitigation is required	No mitigation is required
			Infuse D10W at same rate if TF is interrupted for >2 h
		Infuse D10W at same rate if TF is interrupted for >2 h

D10W, dextrose 10% in water; TF, continuous tube feeding.