Diagnostic Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Chronic Diabetes Mellitus Patients in a Primary Care Clinic

Indianapolis, IN

Continuous glucose monitors (CGM) allow health care providers to better manage patients’ diabetes through a more personalized approach to medication management and lifestyle modifications. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of diagnostic continuous glucose monitors in patients that have type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus within a primary care clinic. The institutional review board approved this retrospective chart review. Patients seen in a Community Health Network clinic who were diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and have worn a continuous glucose monitor for at least 72 hours were included. Clinical data collected included HbA1c both before and after the patient wore the CGM monitor, percentage of time glucose levels were in target range, and days CGM worn, just to name a few parameters. Forty-five patients met inclusion criteria for the study and were included in data analysis. The average HbA1c level pre-CGM was 8.56% and post-CGM level was 7.5%. Nurse practitioners were involved in 60% of the patient cases, while pharmacists were involved in the care in 18% of the patients in the study. Pharmacists made interventions in 20% of the patients and read CGM results in 18% of the patients. Hemoglobin A1c values improved over time in patients who received CGM. Nurse practitioners were the main healthcare provider involved in CGM, but pharmacists were also involved in some cases. Patients who had pharmacists providing their CGM monitoring had more positive outcomes, indicating a niche opportunity for pharmacists to practice in the future.