Journal article
Cellular-Enabled Glucometers and Maternal Glucose Control: A Quality Improvement Initiative
Journal of diabetes science and technology, Vol.14(1), pp.77-82
01/01/2020
DOI: 10.1177/1932296819856360
PMCID: PMC7189156
PMID: 31216873
Abstract
Background: Management of diabetes in pregnancy is burdensome due to self-glucose monitoring, recording, and reporting demands. Cellular-enabled glucometers provide real-time transmission of glucose values independent of internet access and cell phone data plans. We describe a quality improvement (QI) intervention that introduced cellular-enabled glucometers for use during pregnancies complicated by diabetes.
Methods: Our aim was to improve maternal glucose control in a cohort of insulin-requiring pregnant women enrolled in a telemedicine diabetes program. During initial establishment of a QI program, women were offered cellular-enabled glucometers but could elect to keep their standard meter. The primary outcome evaluated was glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) at delivery.
Results: Baseline characteristics including initial HbA1c were similar between women using a standard glucometer (n = 45) and those using a cellular-enabled glucometer (n = 72). Women who used a cellular-enabled glucometer had a lower HbA1c at delivery compared to those using a standard glucometer (5.8% vs 6.3%, P = .03). This improvement was particularly notable for women with poor glucose control (defined as HbA1c >6.5%) at initial obstetric visit. Women with poor glucose control who used a cellular-enabled glucose monitor had significantly lower HbA1c at delivery (6.0% vs 6.8%, P = .03) and greater change from initial visit compared to those using a standard glucometer (-2.6% vs -1.4%, P = .02). No statistically significant differences were detected in tracked neonatal outcomes.
Conclusion: For pregnancies complicated by insulin-requiring diabetes, use of cellular-enabled glucometers as part of a perinatal diabetes program improves glucose control at delivery with timely transmission of accurate values throughout gestation.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Cellular-Enabled Glucometers and Maternal Glucose Control: A Quality Improvement Initiative
- Creators
- Sarah A. Wernimont - University of IowaJessica S. Sheng - University of IowaDiedre Fleener - University of IowaKaren M. Summers - University of IowaCraig Syrop - University of IowaJanet I. Andrews - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of diabetes science and technology, Vol.14(1), pp.77-82
- Publisher
- Sage
- DOI
- 10.1177/1932296819856360
- PMID
- 31216873
- PMCID
- PMC7189156
- ISSN
- 1932-2968
- eISSN
- 1932-2968
- Number of pages
- 6
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 01/01/2020
- Academic Unit
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Record Identifier
- 9984697043302771
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