Better diabetes management via mobile phones
Diabetes patients will be able to monitor their blood glucose levels more frequently, keep more accurate records and better manage their condition with the launch by Telstra of Australia’s first commercially available mobile phone application for people with diabetes.
The Telstra Diabetes Management Online Service involves transmitting blood glucose readings wirelessly from a Bluetooth enabled blood glucose meter to a compatible mobile phone running a specialised application.
The mobile sends the information over the Telstra Next G network into the secure database. These results can then be accessed via a portal on a Next G mobile phone, or online, by the patient and their GP or other care provider.
“The Telstra Diabetes Management Online Service technology gives diabetes patients a simple and more reliable way to track their blood glucose levels and send their results quickly.
“This solution is specifically designed to help diabetes patients and their care givers better manage their condition,” said executive director of Telstra product management, Christophe Bur.
People who reported monitoring their blood glucose levels more frequently also cited other benefits including being able to reduce the amount of time they require to manage their diabetes and being able to better manage their diabetes through diet and lifestyle decisions.
Parents of children with diabetes have found it valuable to have the ability to access their child’s blood glucose readings and know whether they have performed the blood glucose test.
By purchasing a MyGlucoHealth Wireless blood glucose meter and subscribing to the service, Telstra customers are able to send their glucose test results to a secure online portal.
One is able to share these results with their GP, the ability to chart glucose averages across three or six months and receiving helpful reminders to your mobile phone.
Also when a customer registers a reading that is above their desired threshold agreed with their health professional, SMS notifications are sent to them and their care team. The product can also be used for medication reminders and reminders to perform a blood glucose test.
More information about the service, including joining the service, is available online at http://www.bigpond.com/health/my-glucose/
