Continuous blood glucose monitoring (CGM) is revolutionizing diabetes management, providing real-time insights into glucose levels that empower patients and healthcare professionals to make more informed decisions. As technology advances, the need for healthcare professionals to master these tools becomes increasingly critical. The Advanced Continuous Blood Glucose Monitoring course is designed to equip you with the latest knowledge and skills to effectively utilize CGM technology in clinical practice.
What You Will Learn:
- Interpreting CGM data and glucose trends
- Clinical benefits of CGM in managing diabetes
- Techniques for calibrating CGM devices
Details:
Course length: 1 hour and 45 minutes ; CME: 1.75
Languages: American English
Key features: Audio narration, learning activity, and post-assessment.
Get Certified
American Medical Compliance (AMC) is a leader in the industry for compliance, Billing, and HR solutions. To become certified, please visit us at: American Medical Compliance (AMC).
Reach out for other courses by visiting the AMC Course Library.
How Does a Continuous Glucose Monitor Work?
A Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) is a sophisticated device that provides real-time tracking of a patient’s glucose levels throughout the day and night. The system typically consists of three main components: a small sensor inserted just under the skin, a transmitter attached to the sensor, and a receiver or smartphone app that displays glucose readings. The sensor measures glucose levels in the interstitial fluid, which is the fluid surrounding the cells in the tissue under the skin. It does this by detecting the glucose concentration every few minutes, providing a continuous stream of data.
Limitations of Traditional Glucose Control Measures
Traditional measures of glucose control, such as hemoglobin A1c (A1C), are widely used to assess long-term blood glucose levels, but they offer limited insight into the day-to-day fluctuations that patients experience. A1C provides an average glucose level over several months, which can be valuable for understanding overall control, but it doesn’t capture the variability or daily patterns in glucose levels that are crucial for making timely adjustments to therapy.
Understanding Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes mellitus encompasses a group of diseases characterized by abnormal carbohydrate metabolism and chronic hyperglycemia. This condition arises from either an absolute deficiency in insulin secretion, a resistance to the action of insulin in peripheral tissues, or a combination of both. The resulting imbalance in glucose levels can led to significant health complications if not managed effectively.
CMS Coverage Decision for Continuous Glucose Monitors
On February 28, 2022, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) made a significant determination, classifying both non-adjunctive and adjunctive Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) as Durable Medical Equipment (DME). This decision allows for broader coverage of CGMs, but to qualify, beneficiaries must meet specific initial coverage criteria. This decision marks an important step in expanding access to advanced diabetes management tools.
The Two Common Types of Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how the body processes blood sugar, or glucose. Additionally, there are two primary types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2. Also, Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas.
