Active Diabetes, Hormones & Metabolism

Networked continuous glucose monitoring within the Intensive Care Unit (ICU-TeleCGM)

In plain English

AI plain-English summary

A single hypoglycaemic episode in an intensive care unit can be dangerous, yet current monitoring methods miss many of them. This pilot study will test whether a wireless continuous glucose monitor (CGM) can safely and reliably alert ICU staff to dangerous blood sugar drops in real time. Hypoglycaemia in critical care is nearly three times more common than in other hospital settings, but continuous glucose monitoring—standard for outpatients with diabetes—has not been validated for use in the ICU. The study will first test the Dexcom G7 system with telemetry in 20 adults, then randomise up to 50 patients to either the intervention or usual care with a masked CGM. The primary outcome is the number of hypoglycaemic episodes detected. If the system proves safe and feasible, it could transform how ICU teams manage blood glucose in critically ill patients with diabetes or stress hyperglycaemia. Instead of relying on intermittent finger-stick tests that can miss rapid swings, clinicians would receive continuous, networked alerts. The results will directly inform the design of a future multi-centre UK trial, potentially establishing a new standard for glycaemic monitoring in intensive care.

View original technical description
Within critical care settings, hypoglycaemia is nearly threefold higher than in non-critical care. Although continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is well established for people with diabetes in outpatient settings, its utility and safety in-hospital and critical care is unclear. The purpose of this study is to determine whether networked CGM (Dexcom G7) with telemetry (ViewsEMR/CampViews®) is safe and can be implemented in an NHS intensive care unit (ICU) in people with diabetes or stress hyperglycaemia requiring insulin therapy during critical illness. This is a two-step pilot feasibility study. The first step is a single arm, non-randomised study with 20 adults. Outcomes at this stage include recruitment feasibility and proportion completing study. The second step is a randomised parallel-group study, in which participants are randomised to the intervention, or usual care with masked CGM. Up to 50 adults admitted to ICU requiring insulin therapy will be randomised, aiming for 40 completed participants. The primary outcome is number of episodes of hypoglycaemia, with secondary outcomes including glycaemic and accuracy metrics. Perspectives from healthcare professionals on CGM use in ICU will also be obtained. Results from this pilot study will inform the design and conduct of a future multi-centred clinical trial in the UK.

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Researchers

Parizad Avari (EPMC Awardee)

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