Studying the Benefits of Continuous Glucose Monitors to Reduce Hospitalizations and Diabetic Complications
A clinical trial provided continuous glucose monitors to people living with diabetes who are currently not using one and arrived at Worcester's UMass Memorial Hospital Emergency Room with high or low blood sugar, or other diabetes related complications. Those who met the criteria and agreed to participate in the study received a Freestyle Libre to wear for 2 weeks to monitor their blood sugar, and they shared the data with their diabetes care team. Their physician could then prescribe the device through insurance. Once the patient experienced the benefits, further action could be taken.
Half of the participants received a Freestyle Libre to wear for 2 weeks to monitor their blood sugar levels. The other half was a control group that did not receive a CGM. The study investigated whether CGM could successfully prevent people from returning to the ER for diabetes-related issues, compared with the control group, which did not wear a device to monitor their blood sugar. The study led by endocrinologist Mark O’Connor, MD, and emergency physician Laurel O'Connor, MD, was the first to evaluate the benefits of CGM for ER patients.
Dr. O'Connor presented data at the American Diabetes Association's Scientific Sessions in San Diego. The study was published (November 2023) in Endocrine Practice, the official journal of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology
Previous Berkman Award Recipients
Clinical Study on Diabetes Management for Pregnant Women to Improve Outcomes for Maternal and Infant Health
This study aimed to compare continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) with traditional fingerstick testing in pregnant women with type 2 diabetes to determine which method improves blood sugar control and pregnancy outcomes. Gianna Wilkie, MD, led the randomized trial at UMass Memorial Medical Center, evaluating glucose control, patient satisfaction, and perinatal outcomes, including rates of infants born larger than expected, with the goal of reducing future diabetes and obesity risk across generations.
Developing a Liver Disease Screening Process in the Adult Diabetes Clinic
Liver disease is strongly associated with type 2 diabetes and obesity. It remains underdiagnosed and undertreated, and many people living with T2D are unaware they have it. This project, led by Endocrinologist Madona Azar, MD, implemented a new process in the UMass Memorial diabetes clinic that uses a screening tool to analyze clinically available data to determine patients' risk of liver fibrosis.
The GOOD-ER Program
This randomized clinical trial provided continuous glucose monitors (CGM) to people with diabetes who were currently not using one and arrived at the Emergency Room with high or low blood sugar, or other diabetes related complications. The study, led by endocrinologist Dr. Mark O’Connor and emergency physician Dr. Laurel O'Connor, analyzed whether CGM effectively prevents people from returning to the ER for diabetes-related issues, compared with a control group that does not wear a device to monitor their blood sugar.
Improving Inpatient Blood Glucose Management
This project aimed to implement a carbohydrate-counting system for hospitalized inpatients with diabetes across the UMass Memorial Health system. Endocrinologist Dr. Leslie Domalik evaluated whether adopting a flexible meal dosing option based on carb counting would improve the outcomes of hospitalized patients with diabetes. By coordinating the timing of blood glucose testing, insulin dosing, and the administration of rapid-acting mealtime insulin, she wanted to ensure carbohydrate counts are listed for all food served to hospitalized patients and to better coordinate insulin delivery with meal delivery.
Identifying Diabetes Patients and Leveraging Underutilized Services to Improve Care’ (ID PLUS Care)
This project focused on a multidisciplinary, collaborative approach to improve care access, quality, and management for at-risk patients with diabetes. They monitored Electronic Health Record data to identify UMass Medicare Accountable Care Organization patients at risk for negative outcomes and proactively contacted patients to nudge them towards recommended services. It led to Dr. Daniel Amante receiving a three-year KL2 Mentored Career Development Training grant to develop a Diabetes Mellitus program using Behavioral economics to Optimize Outreach and Self-management support with Technology (DM-BOOST).