Importance of Continuous Glucose Monitoring in the Treatment of Diabetes
Continuous Glucose Monitoring
Alyssa M. Hughes
Grand Canyon University: NRS-410
June 13, 2015
Poorly controlled blood glucose levels in the presence of diabetes exposes patients with diabetes to many secondary complications such as stroke, high blood pressure, peripheral vascular disease and kidney disease. New technologies such as continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) can help patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes manage their disease better. This assignment identifies a research article that focuses on CGM in the treatment of diabetes. A summary of the research and clinical findings, as well as the significance to nursing practice is explained in detail.
Article Identification
In the article, Real Time Glucose Monitoring (Ramchandani et al, 2010), the function of the CGM is explained, along with the multiple uses of the monitor. Benefits and challenges are provided as well as examination of two case studies that illustrate the benefits of the CGM in the outpatient setting.
The goal of continuous glucose monitoring is to interpret the responsiveness of the pancreas to the ever fluctuating glucose levels. A small sensor is placed in the subcutaneous tissue where the glucose level is measured in the interstitial fluid. The sensor is connected to the monitor and can stay in place for three to seven days. A reading is taken 6-60 times a minute depending of the degree of glucose level fluctuation. Most sensors are calibrated every 12 hours with a finger stick blood glucose level (Ramchandani et al, 2010).
Summary of Article The real time continuous glucose monitor has three crucial uses that distinguish it from finger stick glucose monitoring. The first is using the monitor as a diagnostic tool for a limited of extended period of time to track glucose levels to optimize glycemic control. Second, the CGM can detect episodes of hypoglycemia with internal alarms set by the patient to notify when the glucose is less than a certain amount. Episodes of
Alyssa M. Hughes
Grand Canyon University: NRS-410
June 13, 2015
Poorly controlled blood glucose levels in the presence of diabetes exposes patients with diabetes to many secondary complications such as stroke, high blood pressure, peripheral vascular disease and kidney disease. New technologies such as continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) can help patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes manage their disease better. This assignment identifies a research article that focuses on CGM in the treatment of diabetes. A summary of the research and clinical findings, as well as the significance to nursing practice is explained in detail.
Article Identification
In the article, Real Time Glucose Monitoring (Ramchandani et al, 2010), the function of the CGM is explained, along with the multiple uses of the monitor. Benefits and challenges are provided as well as examination of two case studies that illustrate the benefits of the CGM in the outpatient setting.
The goal of continuous glucose monitoring is to interpret the responsiveness of the pancreas to the ever fluctuating glucose levels. A small sensor is placed in the subcutaneous tissue where the glucose level is measured in the interstitial fluid. The sensor is connected to the monitor and can stay in place for three to seven days. A reading is taken 6-60 times a minute depending of the degree of glucose level fluctuation. Most sensors are calibrated every 12 hours with a finger stick blood glucose level (Ramchandani et al, 2010).
Summary of Article The real time continuous glucose monitor has three crucial uses that distinguish it from finger stick glucose monitoring. The first is using the monitor as a diagnostic tool for a limited of extended period of time to track glucose levels to optimize glycemic control. Second, the CGM can detect episodes of hypoglycemia with internal alarms set by the patient to notify when the glucose is less than a certain amount. Episodes of
References: American Diabetes Association. (2014). The cost of diabetes. Retrieved from http://www.diabetes.org/advocacy/news-events/cost-of-diabetes.html Fritschi, C. (2012). Use of real-time continuous glucose monitoring versus traditional self-monitoring of blood glucose levels improves glycaemic control in patients with type 1 diabetes. Evidence Based Nursing, University of Illinois. 15(1), 7-8. Retrieved from http://ovidsp.tx.ovid.com.library.gcu.edu Ramchandani, Saadon, Journsay. (2010). Real-time glucose monitoring. American Journal of Nursing. 110(4), 60-63. Retrieved from http://ovidsp.tx.ovid.com.library.gcu.edu