Internet-based diabetic monitoring system for patients with sensory impairment

This project developed an internet-based glucose monitoring system (GMS) for diabetic patients with sensory impairment, and tested its effectiveness through a field test using 13 consumers and 2 health professionals. The system is designed to ease the difficulty of glucose meter operation by automating the data communications, and enhances self monitoring behavior by making it transparent, thus contributing to better glucose level control. The system includes a glucose meter, a communications portal, and a centralized server. When a patient inserts the glucose meter after testing into the cradle of the life improvement portal (LIP), the information from the reading is sent through a modem connection to a central server, where the reading is stored and interpreted. The interpreted information is communicated back to the patient through the LIP with both auditory and visual feedback. The field test using 13 diabetic patients with disabilities found that on average, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level was reduced (p=.022) to 7% (recommended level) with the use of the GMS system. The majority of patients reported that the system provided valuable information and they were satisfied with the system. This system may be useful for older adults with diabetes as well.