Unlocking Diabetes Care: How Tech is Bringing Data Together

Managing type 1 diabetes in young people is tough. New tech like continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and insulin pumps is changing the game. But here's the catch: the data from these devices often gets stuck in silos. This makes it hard for doctors to see the full picture.

A recent project in Ohio tried to fix this by merging CGM data from different vendors into one electronic health record (EHR). This way, doctors can see all the data in one place.

Project Overview

The project took place at a big pediatric medical center serving about 500,000 kids. The Diabetes Center there looks after around 2,200 patients, seeing about 200 new cases every year. The goal was to shift from quarterly check-ups to continuous, proactive care. This means doctors can keep an eye on patients all the time, not just during visits.

Key Steps

The team followed some key steps to make this happen:

• Data Sources: Identified and integrated CGM data from different vendors.
• Clinical Workflows: Optimized workflows to support continuous monitoring.
• Sustainability: Ensured the integration was sustainable long-term.
• Data Visualization: Developed ways to visualize the data effectively.
• Account Management: Managed accounts to ensure seamless integration.

In the end, they successfully integrated CGM data from three different vendors into the EHR. This is a big deal because it means doctors can see all the data in one place.

Challenges Faced

But it wasn't easy. Integrating different vendors' data into the EHR took a lot of work. The team had to:

• Map the Data: Figure out how to map the data from different sources.
• Optimize Workflows: Adjust workflows to support the new data integration.
• Deal with Vendor Variability: Address differences between vendors.

Even though it was challenging, the project shows that it's possible to bring diabetes data together in one place.

Tips for Success

The team also shared some tips for others who want to do something similar:

• Identify the Problem: Clearly define what you're trying to achieve.
• Mobilize Resources: Gather the necessary resources to make it happen.
• Negotiate Contracts Early: Start negotiating with vendors as soon as possible.
• Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge progress along the way.
• Be Prepared for Setbacks: Expect challenges and plan for them.
• Ask Questions: Keep asking questions to improve the process.
• Change Management: Use change management techniques to ensure smooth adoption.
• Ongoing Monitoring: Continuously monitor and optimize the system.

Conclusion

In the end, integrating CGM data into the EHR is beneficial for both patients and doctors. But it requires significant resources. Challenges remain in optimizing workflows, mapping data, and dealing with vendor variability. Ongoing monitoring, maintenance, and optimization are necessary as technology and workflows evolve.