Reviewing Blood Sugar Logbooks In the Palm of My Hand
January 13th, 2008 by Steve
One of the things I enjoy most about my Treo phone is how it allows me to stay in touch with those families who need my input more often: the newly-diagnosed, insulin pump starts, and kids with high A1C’s struggling to get them down. Each of these situations typically involves more frequent reviews of blood sugar data.
Getting those data in the past was cumbersome and time consuming, involving faxes or even a long recitation of blood sugars over the phone. Just getting the information could take forever. But now when I say “stay in touch”, I mean something radically different than what you might think.
I’ve lived through the entire evolution of self blood glucose monitoring, from the first dextrostix and bulky Ames Eyetone meter to where the process can now be performed continuously. But one thing that has yet to change is the need for the human touch. By that, I mean the ability to review and analyze blood sugar readings as part of overall self management, and then make better decisions and choices about care. That’s where I provide my most valuable service to my patients. But in the end, it’s a team effort and the patient and family are at the helm. I may help to chart a new course based on the data I see, but it’s always the patient who must execute the plan and be comfortable with it.
Working with patients and families via our new Diabetech® ADMS™ (automated diabetes management system) is as much about efficiency as it is about helping us help patients to achieve improved blood sugar control.
On that front, I’ve been working lately on new approaches and office procedures to streamline the review of patient status and what better way than to leverage my Treo. As you can see in the picture (click on pic to open in new window - this might take a minute), patient bg data is now powerful information presented to me in a color-coded format that helps point out blood sugar trends and blood sugar checking behaviors… at my fingertips. Combined with how ridiculously easy it is via the GlucoMON® portable wireless appliance for the patient to get me their data, I really appreciate the simplicity of mobile review of ADMS-generated information on my end as well. And best of all, I can review these data on the go. I’m no longer tied to my PC for review of these advanced logbooks. Nothing sells like success! My CDE staff have recently demanded that they too get their own Treo as the latest in efficiency tools for a regional diabetes center. Just a few years ago that meant a new fax machine!
Speaking of Complete Wireless Diabetes Management In The Works, I think our patients and my staff with their new Treo must already hold that title.
Last 5 posts by Steve
- Halloween and Diabetes CAN mix! - October 5th, 2009
- Introducing Healthy Families of South Texas - October 5th, 2009
- Complications 101 - About Kidney Failure - August 23rd, 2009
- The Sleep Bolus - August 18th, 2009
- The Dirty Truth Behind DCCT - August 16th, 2009
