Blood Glucose Monitoring Device Medical Term

How Is Blood Glucose Monitoring Performed

Before you begin, wash your hands thoroughly to prevent infection at the finger-prick site. If you use alcohol wipes instead of washing, be sure to let the site dry before testing.

Next, put a testing strip into the meter. Prick your finger with the lancet to get a small drop of blood. Use the sides of the fingertips instead of the tip to decrease finger discomfort.

The blood goes on the test strip you inserted into the meter. Your monitor will analyze the blood and give you the blood glucose reading on its digital display usually within a minute.

Finger pricks rarely require a bandage, but you may want to use one if bleeding continues beyond a few drops. Its important to follow all the instructions that came with your glucometer to ensure accurate results.

If you have type 1 diabetes, you may need to test your blood glucose four or more times per day. This includes before and after meals and exercise, and more often when you are sick.

If you have type 2 diabetes, your doctor will let you know when and how often to test your blood glucose.

Blood Testing With Meters Using Test Strips

There are several key characteristics of glucose meters which may differ from model to model:

• Size: The average size is now approximately the size of the palm of the hand, although hospital meters can be the size of a remote control. They are battery-powered.
• Test strips: A consumable element containing chemicals that react with glucose in the drop of blood is used for each measurement. For some models this element is a plastic test strip with a small spot impregnated with glucose oxidase and other components. Each strip is used once and then discarded. Instead of strips, some models use discs, drums, or cartridges that contain the consumable material for multiple tests.

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Are Continuous Glucose Monitoring Devices Easy To Use

CGM devices are complex little machines. They do require some upfront time to understand their technical aspects.

For example, you will need to learn how to:

• Insert the sensor properly.
• Transfer data to a computer or your phone.
• Respond to and make changes to your care plan based on the collected data.

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What About Health Insurance Coverage

Its helpful to know that the Dexcom G6, Abbott FreeStyle Libre 2, and Eversense implantable CGM are all covered by most private and public health insurance plans, including Medicare . Medtronics Guardian Connect, however, was not covered by Medicare as of December 2021.

Historically, people with type 1 diabetes have had a much easier time qualifying for a CGM through insurance than those with type 2 diabetes because it was easier to establish medical necessity.

Still, if you have T2D and your doctor can make a case for medical necessity, you may qualify. But your insurance company may still want to confirm whether you actually need a CGM.

If you can prove youre experiencing both high blood sugars and low blood sugars regularly, you will likely qualify. This can be proven by providing blood glucose logs uploaded from your fingerstick meter. Generally, hyperglycemia is defined as a blood glucose level of 250 mg/dL or over, while hypoglycemia is a blood sugar 70 mg/dL or below.

If your insurance company denies your coverage for a CGM, talk with your doctors office about peer-to-peer reviews and appeals. Pushing your doctor to fight for you matters.

Manufacturers can have your back here, too. Dexcom, for instance, has an easy-to-complete patient information form you can submit along with your insurance information. The company will then contact your insurer to work on getting your device authorized and covered. Medtronic offers a similar service.

What Does It Do

CGM measures the amount of glucose in the fluid inside your body. Different devices collect the information in different manners using tiny sensors. In some cases, the sensor is placed under the skin of your belly in a quick and painless fashion or, it can be adhered to the back of your arm. A transmitter on the sensor then sends the information to a wireless-pager-like monitor that you can clip on your belt.

The monitor displays your sugar levels at 1-, 5-, 10-, or 15-minute intervals. If your sugar drops to a dangerously low level or a high preset level, the monitor will sound an alarm.

In the past, only doctors could see the readings CGM systems collected. Now anyone can use the devices as part of at-home diabetes care. You can download data on your computer, tablet, or smartphone to see patterns and trends in your sugar levels. The information can help you and your doctor make the best plan for managing your diabetes, including:

• How much insulin you should take
• An exercise plan thatâs right for you
• The number of meals and snacks you need each day
• The correct types and doses of medications

CGM doesnât replace traditional home monitors. Youâll still need to measure your blood sugar with a regular glucose meter a few times a day to help the monitor stay accurate. Most monitors still require a finger stick and you should also replace the sensor under your skin every 3 to 7 days.

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How Does A Continuous Glucose Monitor Work

A CGM works through a tiny sensor inserted under your skin, usually on your belly or arm. The sensor measures your interstitial glucose level, which is the glucose found in the fluid between the cells. The sensor tests glucose every few minutes. A transmitter wirelessly sends the information to a monitor.

The monitor may be part of an insulin pump or a separate device, which you might carry in a pocket or purse. Some CGMs send information directly to a smartphone or tablet. Several models are available and are listed in the American Diabetes Associations product guide.

How Much Does Continuous Glucose Monitoring Cost

CGM devices can be expensive. More and more insurance providers cover them today, which may make the cost more affordable. Your health insurance policy may only cover certain CGM devices.

Keep in mind that youll need to replace sensors and possibly transmitters regularly. Check with your insurance provider to see what devices and supplies your plan covers. Many providers and CGM companies have resources to help make CGM more affordable for those who need it.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Learning how to use a CGM device can take time. Its not a diabetes cure or a quick fix. But it has the potential to help you better understand the disease. A CGM device lets you keep a closer eye on glucose trends . By seeing the bigger picture, you can prevent problems or catch them early on to better manage your health. CGMs automated, always-on setup may give you more freedom, flexibility and peace of mind. It could also help you focus on other things without worrying about your blood sugar as much.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 07/07/2021.

References

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What Does Cgm Measure

CGM is a tool for people with diabetes. It measures your glucose levels 24 hours a day when you are wearing the device.

Insulin is a hormone that helps your body regulate blood sugar levels. If you have Type 1 diabetes, your body doesnt produce enough of the hormone insulin. In Type 2 diabetes, your body makes insulin but doesnt use it effectively.

People with diabetes need to give themselves insulin regularly to keep blood sugar levels steady.

Infection Prevention During Blood Glucose Monitoring And Insulin Administration

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has become increasingly concerned about the risks for transmitting hepatitis B virus and other infectious diseases during assisted blood glucose monitoring and insulin administration.

CDC is alerting all persons who assist others with blood glucose monitoring and/or insulin administration of the following infection control requirements:

• Fingerstick devices should never be used for more than one person
• Whenever possible, blood glucose meters should not be shared. If they must be shared, the device should be cleaned and disinfected after every use, per manufacturers instructions. If the manufacturer does not specify how the device should be cleaned and disinfected then it should not be shared.
• Insulin pens and other medication cartridges and syringes are for single-patient-use only and should never be used for more than one person

Monitoring of blood glucose levels is frequently performed to guide therapy for persons with diabetes. Blood glucose monitoring and insulin administration can be accomplished in two ways: self-monitoring of blood glucose and insulin administration, where the individual performs all steps of the testing and insulin administration themselves, and assisted monitoring of blood glucose and insulin administration, where another person assists with or performs testing and insulin administration for an individual.

• Hospitals or clinics
• Schools or camps

Hand Hygiene

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How Do I Get A Cgm

As with most medical technology, you need a prescription to get a CGM. Your doctor can write a prescription for any of the above CGM devices.

But getting a prescription for a CGM is often not as simple as just walking into your doctors office and asking for one. Instead, youll likely need a prior authorization to get a CGM through your health insurance. A PA is form/process that your doctor has to go through to prove medical necessity to obtain approval from your insurance plan to cover the costs associated with the prescribed treatment .

At this point, most major insurers require a PA before extending coverage for CGM. Heres how to go about securing a PA, according to JDRF, a leading T1D research and support organization:

Can I Stop Doing Fingerstick Checks To Monitor My Blood Sugar If I Have A Cgm Device

No. Fingerstick checks will still be an essential tool for you to manage diabetes.

Because fingerstick checks measure glucose levels in your blood, they provide the best picture of what your glucose level is at the precise moment you take it. CGM measures glucose under your skin, which shows where your glucose levels were five to 10 minutes ago.

With diabetes, certain things can make glucose levels rise or fall quickly. Big or fast changes in blood glucose levels can be dangerous. Doing a fingerstick check can provide important information to help you take action to protect your health. It can also act as a backup tool to confirm CGM results.

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Who Can Use A Cgm

Most people who use CGMs have type 1 diabetes. Research is underway to learn how CGMs might help people with type 2 diabetes.

CGMs are approved for use by adults and children with a doctors prescription. Some models may be used for children as young as age 2. Your doctor may recommend a CGM if you or your child:

• are on intensive insulin therapy, also called tight blood sugar control
• have hypoglycemia unawareness
• often have high or low blood glucose

Your doctor may suggest using a CGM system all the time or only for a few days to help adjust your diabetes care plan.

How We Chose Glucose Monitors And Meters

Above all, we included glucose monitors that are reportedly the most accurate. Since home meters are designed to help you monitor your glucose in between laboratory work from your doctors visits, its important that your device provides the most accurate results possible.

While no home test will be as accurate as a lab version, getting as close as possible to the quality of such tests can help provide peace of mind as well as better diabetes management.

Other items we looked at include:

We included glucose meters across a variety of features and price points. The cost of CGMs and blood glucose meters can vary widely based on their features, your insurance coverage, and location. Cost is also subject to change over time based on the type of insurance you have, so be sure to check with your carrier for the most accurate price.

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Talk To A Diabetes Therapy Consultant

To request a free insurance coverage check and learn more about your eligibility and potential out-of-pocket costs please complete the form below or call and one of our Diabetes Therapy consultants will be happy to assist you.

* Only Guardian Connect Smart CGM and iPro2 Professional CGM can be used without an insulin pump.¶ Access depends upon health plan design.1 The system is intended to complement, not replace, information obtained from standard blood glucose monitoring devices. All therapy adjustments should be based on measurements obtained from standard blood glucose monitoring devices and not on values provided by the system.2 Grunberger G, Bailey TS, Cohen AJ, et al and AACE Insulin Pump Management Task Force. Statement by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists Consensus Panel on insulin pump management. Endocr Pract. 2010 16:746-762.

Important Safety Information: MiniMed 770G System With SmartGuard Technology

The Medtronic MiniMed 770G System consists of the following devices: MiniMed 770G Insulin Pump, the Guardian Link Transmitter, the Guardian Sensor , one-press serter, the Accu-Chek® Guide Link blood glucose meter, and the AccuChek®Guide Test Strips. The system requires a prescription.

WARNING: Do not use the MiniMed 770G system until appropriate training has been received from a healthcare professional. Training is essential to ensure the safe use of the MiniMed 770G system.

Are There Benefits To Using A Cgm Device And An Insulin Pump

While both devices offer unique benefits, CGM systems and pumps that work together can offer additional benefits. Some pumps will make certain insulin delivery adjustments automatically based on data from a CGM. Even these joint systems still require user input and management but can offer an added level of safety and a quicker response to increasing and decreasing glucose levels.

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Is There Anything Else I Should Know About A Blood Glucose Test

If you have diabetes, you may need to do blood sugar testing at home every day to help manage your blood glucose levels. There are two ways to do this:

• Blood glucose meters require you to prick your finger with a small device called a lancet. You apply a drop of blood to a test strip and insert it into a small, electronic glucose meter, which measures the glucose is in your blood.
• Continuous glucose monitors use a tiny sensor that you insert under your skin. Every few minutes, the sensor measures glucose levels in fluids between your cells. If your glucose is too high or too low, you use a blood glucose meter to check your blood levels before making changes to raise or lower your glucose level.

Why Do People With Diabetes Need To Track Blood Sugar Levels

Tracking blood glucose levels tells you how much insulin your body needs and when. Blood sugar levels that go up and down a lot can damage your body in different ways. Very high or low blood sugar levels can be serious, and even life-threatening when not treated quickly.

Many things can affect your blood sugar levels. But diabetes affects everyone differently. How a food or activity affects one persons glucose levels is often different from how that same thing affects someone else.

Your body can also be unpredictable. Sometimes, your body can have a reaction that even healthcare providers dont always understand. All of these factors can make managing diabetes challenging, even when you think youre doing everything right.

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Blood Or Urine Ketone Strips

Diabetic Ketoacidosis can be a life-threatening condition. Ketones are caused by the breakdown of fat when there isnt enough insulin to allow the glucose into your cells for energy. When ketones build up, the result is acidosis . If not treated, this can lead to death. Usually blood glucose levels are elevated but not always. It is important to have a way to check for ketones, either using urine strips or blood test strips with a ketone-testing device, to help identify whether you are at risk of ketoacidosis.

Continuous Blood Glucose Monitors

A continuous blood glucose monitor assesses blood glucose levels on a near-continuous basis. A typical system consists of a glucose sensor placed subcutaneously, a non-implanted transmitter, and a receiver worn like a pager, which records blood glucose levels at frequent intervals and monitors trends. Newer devices have apps which can be linked to insulim pumps for real time adjustments. Newer devices may use a sensor that does not penetrate the skin.

CGM systems monitor interstitial fluid glucose levels. They must be calibrated with traditional fingerstick tests.

Continuous monitoring provides documentation of blood glucose response to insulin dosing, eating, exercise, and additional influences. Overnight monitoring may identify problems with insulin dosing and allow adjustments of basal levels. Many units are equipped with alarms to warn patients of hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia and provide time for treatment.

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