Software gives diabetes patients more control of glucose levels

Dexcom has developed technology that it said gives patients with diabetes an unprecedented level of control over their condition.

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The company’s Continuous Glucose Monitoring, or CGM, allows patients to get a reading every five minutes via a disposable body-worn sensor that uses bluetooth technology to communicate with a hand-held monitor or smartphone.



Web-based software lets patients automatically download their glucose data and send it directly to a physician or other healthcare provider for review.



“Patients see trends in their glucose, and they can see whether it is going up or down and how fast it is going in that direction,” EVP and chief commercial officer Rick Doubleday said. “This gives them the opportunity to avoid both high glucose levels and low glucose levels.”

 

In addition, he explained, Dexcom CGM has customizable alerts that warn users if their glucose level varies too far in either direction, allowing them to take the necessary action to prevent an adverse event.



“This is especially beneficial during times when the person might be distracted and not paying attention to their glucose level, like sleeping, working or playing a sport,” Doubleday said.



Technology like this, he stressed, can help patients control their conditions and drive down healthcare costs.



“Glucose management is at the heart of managing diabetes,” Doubleday said. “We provide the data that allows these parties to be better connected and provide greater outcomes for patients with diabetes.”