Diasyst: Diabetes Management Software
Current diabetic management is a bit like driving at 70 miles an hour but touching the steering wheel once a minute. The manual system of reviewing patient logs once every 3 or 4 months leads to clinical inertia.
Emory University endocrinologist Larry Phillips MD and his team responded to the situation by developing the Diasyst algorithm application. Using remote glucose monitoring technology, the algorithm analyzes the readings and trends. It accesses over 300 medications in its database to recommend adjustments and new medications. Diasyst gives the endocrinologist and family practitioner the equivalent of a laser guided weapon against diabetes.
Remote Monitoring Impact
Remote monitoring of diabetic patients creates a stronger bond, a personal touch, and produces better outcomes. Compliance is better. A1c and fasting blood glucose readings improve. They are more likely to hit weight and nutrition targets.
The practice benefits from a lower workload of interruptive phone calls and manual data entry. Hypoglycemic and hyperglycemic emergencies drop and patients become more medication compliant.
Digital Monitoring Devices: LTE versus BLE
All diabetic remote monitoring requires a digital device, a “gateway,” and a monitoring platform. The practice provides a digital glucometer and the monthly strips with the cost covered by RPM reimbursement CPT code 99454. This improves both reporting and compliance for better outcomes.
Diasyst recommends using a glucometer with the LTE gateway in it such as the IGlucose(r) glucometer. This eliminates the need for a gateway such as a smartphone or tablet. Many older people lack a smartphone and may not adapt to a tablet. Thus, a BLE glucometer, which is an approved remote monitoring device, may not be the right choice.
Rural communities often lack WiFi coverage. This reduces adoption of remote monitoring that requires a BLE gateway. In fact, the IGlucose(r) glucometer literally bypasses smartphones and tablets sending data to the cloud. From the cloud it goes to Diasyst’s management platform. The patient only needs this device to be remotely monitored. This system saves money for the provider and patient.