Objective. To determine whether an electronic order template for basal-bolus insulin ordering improves mean blood glucose in hospitalized general medical patients with hyperglycemia and type 2 diabetes.

Research Design and Methods. We randomly assigned internal medicine resident teams on acute general medical floors to use of an electronic insulin order template versus usual insulin ordering. We measured diabetes care parameters for one month on all patients with type 2 diabetes and blood glucose <60 mg/dl or >180 mg/dl treated by these physicians.

Results. Intervention group patients (n=65) had mean glucose of 195 ± 66 mg/dl. Control group patients (n=63) had mean glucose of 224 ± 57 mg/dl (P=0.004). In the intervention group, there was no increase in hypoglycemia.

Conclusions. Access to a computer insulin order template was associated with improved mean glucose levels without increasing hypoglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes.