Forty patients were give home-monitoring devices that regularly send data to the Dubai Diabetes Centre.

Diabetics need regular medical check-ups to prevent complications. But what if a patient could get all the monitoring done at home and doctors could receive updates in real-time? Experts in Dubai have started a study that could determine how virtual check-ups and telemonitoring could benefit people with diabetes. 

The Dubai Diabetes Centre (DDC) on Tuesday announced that they are currently testing a telemonitoring system, with 40 patients selected for the research. Home monitoring devices, a smart pill box, mobile technologies and a software were all provided to track daily patient data, allowing specialists to plan interventional strategies. 

“Diabetes requires one to have regular follow-ups to avoid complications. In general, over time, patient compliance reduces and they tend to miss follow-up appointments,” explained Dr M. Hamed Farooqi, director of the DDC.

“Even a gap of three to six months with no follow-ups can be severely detrimental to diabetic patients, especially those with other comorbidities. Therefore, the aim of this study is to provide diabetics with home monitoring devices and regularly receive data from them so that we can keep a close eye on their condition.”

The study shall be carried out until the end of December and it is expected to be completed by early next year, he added. Once done, the centre will evaluate how effective telemonitoring is and whether it should incorporated within the system.

How the study works

Each patient taking part in the DDC study was given four home-monitoring devices: A blood pressure monitor, a blood glucose monitor, heart rate monitor and pulse oximeter. There were also provided with a pill box, which beeps every day at the time their medicine needs to be taken.

If they don’t take the medicine on time or miss the medicine, the data is immediately sent to the centre.

Patients were also given a mobile phone. They need to place this phone close to their monitoring devices whenever they use them. 

“The mobile has the software which captures all the patient data and automatically sends it to our centre. In the data room, the data gets automatically triaged as green, yellow and red based on artificial intelligence,” Dr Farooqi explained.

“Green means the results are fine, yellow means the readings are slightly abnormal, and red means the patient needs intervention. If the data falls under the yellow category, the patient is automatically sent a push notification, which informs him that the results are slightly abnormal, and therefore the patient needs to take the necessary measures as already advised by healthcare providers. 

“If the data falls under the red category, the patient gets a call from DDC and the healthcare provider can provide a phone consultation or request them to visit the centre for further consultation.”

At the end of every week, a doctor receives a comprehensive patient report, said Dr. Farooqi. “This kind of real-time monitoring helps the patient stay on track and ensures there is no time-gap in terms of physical consultation, which means complications can be greatly reduced.”

Currently, a video call feature is also being tested for the study. 

Healthcare innovation

The study was announced during the visit of Humaid Al Qutami, director-general of the Dubai Health Authority, to the centre.

Al Qutami said: “The DHA strongly focuses on technology to improve patient care and drive down costs of healthcare. In the current healthcare climate, globally, there has been a surge in the importance of telehealth. 

“At the DHA, we aim to continue employing various technologies that fit the nuances of the healthcare landscape in the emirate…We are keen to continue medical research, especially in the field of healthcare and technology, to help empower patients and improve patient care and compliance.”

Currently, diabetics have home-monitoring devices which they use to check their blood sugar and blood pressure. They store the data in the devices and whenever they go for their follow-up appointment – which is typically every two to three months – the endocrinologist reviews the data in one go. During this period, if the numbers are higher than usual, the patient has to contact the DDC and schedule a phone consultation or an appointment.

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DENVER (KDVR) — February is American Heart Month, which is a good reminder to get your blood pressure checked—even if you feel healthy.

According to the American Heart Association, nearly half of adults the U.S. have high blood pressure—which can lead to heart disease and stroke.

The YMCA if offering a blood pressure self-monitoring program across metro Denver, telling Fox31 diet and exercise are only part of a heart healthy lifestyle.

That’s something 77-year-old Don Nimtz discovered last year.

He has a steady gym routine at the YMCA, in Arvada.

“In the winter, I’m here 4 or 5 times a week,” he told Fox31, shortly before starting his workout.

Which is why a high blood pressure reading, that he got at the YMCA in Arvada, caught him off guard.

“I think it was in the 170 range,” he recalled. “I feel like my diet is pretty good and I regularly exercise, so it was a big surprise to me.”

This is one of several YMCA locations in metro Denver that offers the testing on site, as part of their blood pressure self-monitoring program.

“High blood pressure doesn’t usually come with symptoms. It’s usually silent,” said Libertad Mendivil, Community Health Recruiter for YMCA of Metro Denver.

“So you wouldn’t know if you had high blood pressure unless you took your blood pressure consistently,” she added.

The program pairs people, like Nimtz, with what’s called a healthy heart ambassador—which essentially is an accountability coach for your heart.

“The main focus is to make sure they’re taking their blood pressure at home at least twice a month, and coming in to check with a healthy heart ambassador at the Y at least twice a month with consultation and help them with their goals,” said Mendivil.

“The more they check it at home and the more they have that support from the healthy heart ambassador, then they are more conscious of the numbers changing,” she added.

The YMCA also offers a nutrition education seminar, focusing on healthy eating habits and lower sodium intake.

Nimtz says it was stress that caused a spike in his blood pressure, which, has since stabilized.

“I went through their whole program. Naturally, I went to see my doctor. I’m on some meds now and I believe it’s under control,” he told Fox31.

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