According to the chapter, what are the criteria for commencing a variable-rate intravenous insulin infusion (VRIII) in surgical patients?

The chapter lists these criteria for starting a VRIII in surgical patients: type 1 diabetes (including insulin pump users) who will miss more than one meal; type 1 diabetes whose long-acting insulin was not given; type 2 diabetes who will miss more than one meal with a capillary blood glucose above 12 mmol/L; most patients having emergency surgery; patients with HbA1c of 69 mmol/mol or higher should be considered; and any surgical patient going to critical care with blood glucose above 10 mmol/L should have a VRIII commenced.

For surgical patients, the chapter specifies clear VRIII commencement criteria. A VRIII should be started in patients with type 1 diabetes, including those on continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII or insulin pump), if they will miss more than one meal. It should also be started in type 1 diabetes patients who have not received their long-acting insulin. For type 2 diabetes, a VRIII is indicated if the patient will miss more than one meal and the capillary blood glucose is greater than 12 mmol/L. Most patients having emergency surgery meet the criteria for VRIII. Additionally, a VRIII should be considered for patients with an HbA1c of 69 mmol/mol or higher. Finally, all surgical patients going to critical care should have a VRIII commenced if their blood glucose levels are above 10 mmol/L.