Use of Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Skilled Nursing Facilities: Strategies for Managing Implementation.

Abstract

Purpose: Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices are increasingly used by older adults. Although these devices offer several advantages over traditional techniques, such as fingerstick capillary blood glucose, the current article discusses the impact and benefits of CGMs in the context of older adults in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and explores ways to improve and manage their use through the collaboration of an interprofessional team.

Method: Current evidence and guidance on implementing CGM devices in SNFs is reviewed.

Results: Current strategies for the successful and safe use of CGM devices in SNFs include staff and patient education, close monitoring, operational workflow, and interprofessional collaboration.

Conclusion: To manage patients with diabetes in SNFs, an interactive, multidisciplinary, and multifaceted approach is needed. Larger studies on the management of CGM devices in SNFs are required. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 51(3), 7-12.].