Continuous Glucose Monitors: Control and Monitoring of Diabetes Mellitus

Author: David J. Moffa, PhD
Reviewer: Morgan Moss, MHA, MLS(ASCP)CM
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Continuing Education Credits

P.A.C.E.® Contact Hours: 1 hour(s)

Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Science CE Credit Hours

Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Science CE - General: 1 hour(s)

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Objectives

  • Define the terms prediabetes, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, and ketoacidosis.
  • Describe the types of diabetes and testing diagnostic criteria.
  • Differentiate between glucose meters and continuous glucose monitors.
  • Define the types of continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), their components, and available commercial CGMs.
  • List the pros and cons, accuracy, benefits, and intended use of continuous glucose monitors.
  • Discuss the American Diabetes Association recommendations for continuous glucose monitors.

Course Outline

  • Diabetes Overview
    • Definition and Stats
    • Types of Diabetes
    • Types of Diabetes, continued
    • Types of Diabetes, continued
    • Which of the following is inaccurate regarding diabetes mellitus?
    • The most common type of diabetes is:
    • Prediabetes
    • Hyperglycemia and Hypoglycemia
    • Diabetic Ketoacidosis
    • True or False: Prediabetes is not a type of diabetes but is a condition whereby blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough yet to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes.
    • Which condition may result from a combination of hyperglycemia, low insulin levels, and high glucagon, thereby, causing the body to use fatty acid metabolism for energy production?
    • Testing and Diagnosis Overview
    • Summary of Diagnostic Criteria
    • Testing Methodology
    • Match the diabetes test with its normal range.
    • True or False: The glucose oxidase method is considered the most specific method for measuring glucose in serum or plasma and has been accepted as the reference method for glucose determination.
    • Home Glucose Monitoring
    • Glucose Meters
    • Which statement is false when describing most glucose meters (GMs)?
    • True or False: Blood glucose monitoring (BGM) is essential for individuals with type 1 diabetes treated with daily intensive insulin therapy to help prevent hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.
  • Continuous Glucose Monitors
    • Continuous Glucose Monitors: Definition and Brief History
    • Typically, a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) consists of three components. Which component is placed under the skin and estimates the glucose levels in the interstitial fluid?
    • Real-time CGM
    • Intermittently Scanned CGM
    • Blood Glucose versus Interstitial Glucose Levels
    • What is the name of the device that requires a user to scan the device to obtain a glucose reading and use a combined glucose sensor/transmitter?
    • True or False: The major difference between glucose meters (GMs) and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) is that CGMs do not measure blood glucose but measure glucose in interstitial fluid.
  • Commercial Continuous Glucose Monitors
    • Commercial CGMs Available
    • Commercial CGMs Available, continued
    • Table 2: Comparative Summary of Commercial CGMs
    • Match the commercial CGM manufacturers with their FDA-approved CGM system name.
    • First Over-the-Counter CGM
    • Accuracy of Commercial CGMs
    • Benefits, Patient Criteria, and Intended Use
    • Which of the following statements does not describe the Dexcom Stelo Glucose Biosensor System?
    • True or False: Most FDA-cleared CGMs are approved for use by individuals with type 1 and type 2 diabetes who are on insulin therapy and require daily glucose monitoring to frequently adjust insulin treatment based on glucose levels.
    • Which statement is correct when describing the accuracy of most CGMs?
    • Match the CGM device with its name and description.
  • American Diabetes Association Recommendations, Costs, and Insurance Coverage
    • American Diabetes Association Recommendations
    • Costs and Insurance Coverage for CGMs
    • True or False: Most insurers, including Medicare, will typically cover the cost of CGMs for patients with prediabetes, gestational diabetes, and type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
  • Summary and Conclusions
    • Key Points and Conclusions
    • Key Points and Conclusions, continued
  • References
    • References

Additional Information

Level of Instruction: Basic
Intended Audience: Medical laboratory scientists, medical laboratory technicians, laboratory supervisors, and laboratory managers. This course is also appropriate for MLS and MLT students and pathology residents.
Author Information: David Moffa, PhD, has over 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry as an executive manager, clinical laboratory director, and medical laboratory scientist. He is currently a technical consultant for Kentmere Healthcare, Wilmington, DE, and until his retirement, was the Regional Director for LabCorp, Inc. He holds a PhD in medical biochemistry from the School of Medicine at West Virginia University.
Reviewer Information: Morgan Moss, MHA, MLS(ASCP)CM, is a Technical Training Specialist for Siemens Healthineers. She completed her Bachelor of Medical Technology at Old Dominion University. She then completed her graduate degree in Healthcare Administration at Grantham University. Prior to Siemens, Morgan worked as a generalist in the Department of Veterans Affairs. In her current position, she conducts classroom and onsite trainings throughout the continental U.S. Additionally, she edits and aligns training materials to represent real-world field/customer experiences, improve customer knowledge retention, and increase successful operation of instrumentation.