Vodafone is working with Smart Meter LLC., a mobile health (mHealth) services provider for diabetes management, to bring reliable and efficient accessibility to its customers around the world. Smart Meter’s iGlucose platform will benefit from Vodafone’s global Internet of Things (IoT) network to address customer demand in more than 160 countries.
The iGlucose blood glucose meter wirelessly sends blood glucose readings and other information to a personal web portal via Vodafone’s global IoT network. In the web portal, the person with diabetes and their designated Circle of Care can access customised trend reports and digital logbooks that are automatically updated every time the person with diabetes tests.
The number of people impacted by diabetes continues to rise. According to the International Diabetes Foundation, the total number of people with diabetes is projected to rise from 415 million in 2015 to 642 million in 2040. Many published studies have proven the impact of mHealth solutions on lowering the glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) of people with diabetes.
However, many of these existing options are not affordable or easy to use. Smart Meter’s iGlucose® platform which aims to improve the management of diabetes lacking in the current mHealth marketplace, has recently received FDA clearance and it’s CE Mark.
“Managing diabetes is a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week job, and often requires the support of a Circle of Care consisting of healthcare providers, payers and loved ones,” said Smart Meter CEO, Cliff McIntosh. “The reliable and instantaneous two-way communication we can provide through an affordable platform is a real game-changer for people that are managing diabetes – they know they always have the support of others when needed.
Vodafone listened to our needs, provided a customised solution to fit our requirements, and offered the expertise and ability to give us seamless global accessibility, all making our decision to partner with Vodafone an easy one.”
The iGlucose platform provides personalised accessibility between people with diabetes and their Circle of Care by automatically sending glucose readings via text message or email to family members or other designees. Supportive messages, tips and reminders of when to test are also part of the service. Anyone in the Circle of Care can send customised messages back to individuals to address an immediate issue or offer encouragement.
Vodafone Group’s erstwhile director of IoT Ivo Rook said, “Connected technologies are transforming healthcare, from providing better care to improving research and development. One area that I believe is ideally placed to benefit from this kind of technology is helping patients to fully commit to their treatment plans.”
With iGlucose’s population management, healthcare providers can access patient data in real time via a web portal. Digital triage can be performed to see which patients are low, out of control or not testing. Focus can be given to the patients needing the most attention first. Text and e-mail encouragement can be given to those improving their bG testing trends.
Multiple studies have shown that when the number of these touch points between the caregiver and the person with diabetes are increased, therapy compliance and drug adherence improve. In addition, the iGlucose meter meets ISO 2013 standards and data collected can be used for Medicare Part B audits, lowering the time needed for payers to collect the data and reduce their overall costs.
Vodafone’s global network and the Vodafone Global IoT SIM means Smart Meter can provide these services around the world with confidence without being distracted with the task of country-by-country IT integration.
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