Bithika Thompson

Consensus Statement on Inpatient Use of Continuous Glucose Monitoring

In June 2016, Diabetes Technology Society convened a panel of US experts in inpatient diabetes management to discuss the current and potential role of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in the hospital. This discussion combined with a literature review was a follow-up to a meeting, which took place in May 2015. The panel reviewed evidence on use of CGM in 3 potential inpatient scenarios: (1) the intensive care unit (ICU), (2) non-ICU, and (3) transitioning outpatient CGM use into the hospital setting. Panel members agreed that data from limited studies and theoretical considerations suggested that use of CGM in the hospital had the potential to improve patient clinical outcomes, and in particular reduction of hypoglycemia. Panel members discussed barriers to widespread adoption of CGM, which patients would benefit most from use of this technology, and what type of outcome studies are needed to guide use of CGM in the inpatient setting.

Perioperative Management of Patients with Diabetes and Hyperglycemia Undergoing Elective Surgery

Diabetes mellitus (DM) and hyperglycemia are associated with increased surgical morbidity and mortality. Hyperglycemia is a determinant of risk of surgical complications and should be addressed across the continuum of surgical care. While data support the need to address hyperglycemia in patients with DM in the ambulatory setting prior to surgery and in the inpatient setting, data are less certain about hyperglycemia occurring during the perioperative period—that part of the process occurring on the day of surgery itself. The definition of “perioperative” varies in the literature. This paper proposes a standardized definition for the perioperative period as spanning the time of patient admission to the preoperative area through discharge from the recovery area. Available information about the impact of perioperative hyperglycemia on surgical outcomes within the framework of that definition is summarized, and the authors’ approach to standardizing perioperative care for patients with DM is outlined, including the special case of patients receiving insulin pump therapy. The discussion is limited to adult ambulatory non-obstetric patients undergoing elective surgical procedures under general anesthesia.

Self-Management Behaviors in Adults on Insulin Pump Therapy What Are Patients Really Doing?

Background: Successful diabetes management requires behavioral changes. Little is known about self-management behaviors (SMB) in adults on insulin pump (IP) therapy. Objective: Analyze and characterize observed common diabetes SMB in adult participants with type 1 diabetes (T1D) using IPs and to correlate behaviors with glycemic outcomes based on participant’s individual glucose targets. Materials and Methods: One month of IP data from adults with T1D were downloaded. Computer programs were written to automatically quantify the observed frequency of expected behaviors such as: insulin bolusing, checking blood glucose (BG), and recording carbohydrate intake, and other interactions with the IP. Results: Nineteen participants were recruited and 4,249 IP interactions were analyzed to ascertain behaviors. Intersubject variability of adherence to minimally expected behaviors was observed: daily documentation of carbohydrates and BG checks in 76.6 (31.7)% and 60.0 (32.5)%, respectively, and bolusing without consulting the IPBC in 13.0 (16.9)% of delivered boluses, while daily insulin bolus delivery was consistent 96.8 (5.7)%. Higher frequency of adherence to daily behaviors correlated with a higher number of glucose readings at target. Conclusion: Results indicate variability in SMB and do not always match recommendations. Case-scenarios based on observed real-life SMB could be incorporated into interviews/surveys to elucidate ways to improve SMB.

Update on a Quality Initiative to Standardize Perioperative Care for Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion Therapy.

Objective: The objective of the analysis was to review the effectiveness of a care process model (CPM) developed to guide management of patients on insulin pump therapy undergoing elective surgical procedures. Methods: Electronic medical records were reviewed to assess the impact of the CPM on documentation of insulin pump status, glucose monitoring, and safety during the perioperative phase of care. Post-CPM care was compared with management provided before CPM implementation. Results: We reviewed 45 cases on insulin pump therapy in the pre-CPM cohort and 106 in the post-CPM cohort. Demographic characteristics, categories of surgery, and perioperative times were not significantly different between the 2 groups. Recommended hemoglobin A1c monitoring occurred in 73% of cases in the pre-CPM cohort but improved to 94% in the post-CPM group (P < .01). There was a higher frequency of documentation of the insulin pump during the preoperative, intraoperative, and postanesthesia care unit segments of care in the post- vs pre-CPM periods (all P < .01). The number of cases with intraoperative glucose monitoring increased (57% pre-CPM vs 81% post-CPM; P < .01). Glycemic control was comparable between the 2 CPM periods. Hypoglycemia was rare, with only 3 episodes in the pre-CPM group and 4 in the post-CPM. No adverse events associated with perioperative insulin pump use were observed. Conclusions: This analysis adds to previous data on use of insulin pump therapy during the perioperative period. Some processes require additional attention, but data continue to indicate that a standardized approach to care can lead to a successful and safe transition of insulin pump therapy throughout the perioperative period.

Characterization of Exercise and Alcohol Self-Management Behaviors of Type 1 Diabetes Patients on Insulin Pump Therapy

Background: There is a lack of systematic ways to analyze how diabetes patients use their insulin pumps to self-manage blood glucose to compensate for alcohol ingestion and exercise. The objective was to analyze “real-life” insulin dosing decisions occurring in conjunction with alcohol intake and exercise among patients using insulin pumps. Methods: We recruited adult type 1 diabetes (T1D) patients on insulin pump therapy. Participants were asked to maintain their daily routines, including those related to exercising and consuming alcohol, and keep a 30-day journal on exercise performed and alcohol consumed. Thirty days of insulin pump data were downloaded. Participants’ actual insulin dosing behaviors were compared against their self-reported behaviors in the setting of exercise and alcohol. Results: Nineteen T1D patients were recruited and over 4000 interactions with the insulin pump were analyzed. The analysis exposed variability in how subjects perceived the effects of exercise/alcohol on their blood glucose, inconsistencies between self-reported and observed behaviors, and higher rates of blood glucose control behaviors for exercise versus alcohol. Conclusion: Compensation techniques and perceptions on how exercise and alcohol affect their blood glucose levels vary between patients. Improved individualized educational techniques that take into consideration a patient’s unique life style are needed to help patients effectively apply alcohol and exercise compensation techniques.

A Methodology to Compare Insulin Dosing Recommendations in Real-Life Settings

Background: We propose a methodology to analyze complex real-life glucose data in insulin pump users. Methods: Patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) on insulin pumps were recruited from an academic endocrinology practice. Glucose data, insulin bolus (IB) amounts, and self-reported alcohol consumption and exercise events were collected for 30 days. Rules were developed to retrospectively compare IB recommendations from the insulin pump bolus calculator (IPBC) against recommendations from a proposed decision aid (PDA) and for assessing the PDA’s recommendation for exercise and alcohol. Results: Data from 15 participants were analyzed. When considering instances where glucose was below target, the PDA recommended a smaller dose in 14%, but a larger dose in 13% and an equivalent IB in 73%. For glucose levels at target, the PDA suggested an equivalent IB in 58% compared to the subject’s IPBC, but higher doses in 20% and lower in 22%. In events where postprandial glucose was higher than target, the PDA suggested higher doses in 25%, lower doses in 13%, and equivalent doses in 62%. In 64% of all alcohol events the PDA would have provided appropriate advice. In 75% of exercise events, the PDA appropriately advised an IB, a carbohydrate snack, or neither. Conclusions: This study provides a methodology to systematically analyze real-life data generated by insulin pumps and allowed a preliminary analysis of the performance of the PDA for insulin dosing. Further testing of the methodological approach in a broader diabetes population and prospective testing of the PDA are needed.

Self-Reported Compensation Techniques for Carbohydrate, Exercise, and Alcohol Behaviors in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes on Insulin Pump Therapy

Studies have found variability in self-care behaviors in patients with type 1 diabetes, particularly when incorporating exercise and alcohol consumption. The objective of this study was to provide results from a survey to understand (1) insulin pump behaviors, (2) reported self-management behaviors for exercise and alcohol, and (3) perceptions of the effects of exercise and alcohol on blood glucose (BG) control. Fourteen participants from an outpatient endocrinology practice were recruited and administered an electronic survey. Compensation techniques for exercise and alcohol, along with reasons for employing the techniques were identified. Also identified were factors that participants said affected BG control with regard to exercise and alcohol. These results confirm the considerable inconsistency patients have about incorporating exercise and alcohol into decisions about self-management behaviors.

Consensus Statement on Use of Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion Therapy in the Hospital

In May 2017, the Diabetes Technology Society convened a panel of US experts on inpatient diabetes management to discuss the current and potential role of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) therapy in the hospital. The panel (1) discussed evidence for current use of CSII in the hospital, (2) recommended contraindications for use in the hospital, and (3) recommended guidelines to maximize chances for safe use of CSII in the hospital. Panel members agreed that larger, prospective, randomized studies are needed to evaluate safety and efficacy of CSII use in the hospital. As CSII technology becomes more complex and its use increases, it is imperative that institutional protocols be in place to ensure safe use of this technology and safe transitions across care areas. Providers need to be cognizant that not all patients currently using CSII as an outpatient are appropriate candidates for continued use in the hospital. This consensus statement provides guidelines for practitioners who may encounter patients using this technology in the inpatient setting.

Do Smartphone Applications Hold the Secret to Reducing Hypoglycemia in Type 1 Diabetes

In this article in JDST, Feuerstein-Simon and colleagues examine use of a smartphone app in improving hypoglycemia awareness in type 1 diabetes (T1D). They conclude that their smartphone app, HypoMap™, has the potential to increase hypoglycemia awareness and reduce time spent with hypoglycemia in a cohort of long-standing patients with type 1 diabetes. The underlying assumption is that if patients can identify the precipitating cause, they can recognize symptoms better and potentially change behavior to prevent future hypoglycemic events. Potential limitations of this intervention include technical issues, patient burden from data entry with use of an app, and concern that this type of intervention may not be sustainable over time. While results of this pilot study suggest HypoMap may be an effective intervention in preventing hypoglycemia, further studies of increased sample size are needed to confirm these findings.

An Overview of Safety Issues on Use of Insulin Pumps and Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems in the Hospital

Purpose of ReviewSummarize safety issues related to patients using insulin pump therapy and continuous glucose monitoring systems (CGMS) in the outpatient setting when they are hospitalized and to review steps that can be taken to mitigate risk associated with use or discontinuation of these devices.Recent FindingsTwo recent consensus conferences were held on the topics of inpatient use of insulin pumps and CGMS devices. In addition to commonly known safety issues (e.g., device malfunction, infection), cybersecurity and the vulnerability of contemporary technology to hacking have emerged. CGMS capabilities offer the promise of advancing the goal for development of glucometry (centralized monitoring of real-time glucose data). Strategies to assuring safe use of insulin pumps and CGMS in the hospital include collaboration between the patient and staff, proper patient selection, and clear policies and procedures outlining safe use. Available data indicates few adverse events associated with these devices in the hospital.SummaryCurrent data suggests, with proper patient selection and a clear process in place for glycemic management, that adverse events are rare, and consensus favors allowing use of the technology in the hospital. The topic of insulin pump and CGMS in the hospital would greatly benefit from more institutions reporting on their experiences and prospective clinical trials.