Standards of Diabetes Care

There are recommended diabetes care standards and guidelines that are reviewed annually and updated as needed. They are the official American Diabetes Association recommendations and are used to guide your health care team in recommending the management strategies that will help you to meet your glucose targets and to reduce the occurrence of diabetes complications.

The tests that are important in determining whether you have or are controlling your diabetes adequately include:

• A1c lab test - every 3 months - measures past 3 months blood sugar level
• Lipid lab test - every year - cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, & LDL tests - to assess your risk for heart disease
• Urine Microalbumin test - every year - to detect diabetes kidney disease early
• Retinal eye exam - every year - to detect diabetes eye disease early
• Blood pressure - every visit - to monitor for heart disease
• Weight - every visit - monitor effects of meal plan and exercise
• Foot exam - every visit - detect and prevent feet complications
• Flu vaccine - every year
• Pneumonia vaccine - at least once
• Home blood glucose monitoring

Get a FREE DIABETES HEALTH RECORD CARD
California Diabetes Control Program - 916-445-8732
www.dhs.ca.gov.diabetes

Blood Glucose Meters 

The Diabetes Society offers free meters and testing instructions to all patients. A blood glucose meter is a device that will allow you to check your blood glucose at any time without going to your physician's office or to the lab. These devices are small enough to fit easily into your hand. You obtain a small drop of blood from your finger, (or alternate testing site such as your arm), and apply it to a test strip. The results are obtained in less than 30 seconds. The meters can store the results in their memory. Some models have computer software that allows you to keep track of your blood glucose trends. It is important to find the meter that you will use on a consistent basis to help you determine if your readings are in your target range at different times of the day.

How to choose a Blood Glucose Meter 

• Insurance Coverage - determine which meter companies are covered with your plan and get approval if needed for the meter and supplies (test strips, lancets, and control solution).
• Check to see if there are rebates, trade-ins, or special purchase offers.
• Ask if you can receive training on the meter from a diabetes program before you decide to purchase.
• Determine the cost and availability of the data management systems.
• Decide if the size of the meter and type of carrying case are important.
• View the meter specifications on the company's web site.

Meter Companies 

• Abbott Labs - Medisense/Precision www.Medisense.com 1-800-527-3333
• Bayer - Breeze/DEX/Glucometer Elite/Contour www.bayercarediabetes.com 1-800-348-8100
• Beckton-Dickson - BD Logic/Lattitude - www.bddiabetes.com 1-888-BD-CARES
• LifeScan - Ultra/UltraSmart/InDuo/SureStep - www.lifescan.com 1-888-227-8862
• Roche - Accu-Chek Compact/Complete/Advantage www.roche.com 1-800-858-8072
• TheraSense - Freestyle/Flash www.therasense.com 1-888-522-5226
• Metrika - www.metrika.com 1-408-524-2255

Insulin Pumps 

What is an Insulin Pump? 

Insulin pumps are small (pager size) devices that contain a syringe filled with rapid acting insulin. The syringe has thin plastic tubing (like an intravenous tube) that is inserted just under your skin, usually on your abdomen. The pump is pre-programmed to deliver a pre-determined amount of insulin and allows you to push a button to give extra insulin when you eat. This system is similar to the way in which the body normally releases insulin from the pancreas. Pumps are commonly used by people with Type 1 diabetes who do not have any insulin produced by their pancreas. They can also be used for people with Type 2 diabetes who require insulin. Frequent blood glucose testing, carbohydrate counting, and record keeping are required before the use of an insulin pump should be considered.

How to Choose an Insulin Pump? 

For those who are on insulin and may be interested in an insulin pump, a recommendation is usually needed by an endocrinologist. Your insurance company should be contacted to determine your coverage under the durable medical equipment benefit for a pump. Classes are available at the Diabetes Society in making the change from injections to a pump. There are several companies that provide insulin pumps. Information can be obtained on their web sites.

Pump Companies 

• Animas - www.animascorp.com - 1-877-YES-PUMP
• DANA - www.theinsulinpump.com 1-866-342-2322
• Deltec - Cozmo - www.delteccozmo.com 1-800-826-9703
• MiniMed - Medtronic MiniMed www.minimed.com 1-800-646-4633
• Nipro - Amigo www.glucopro.com 1-888-651-PUMP