Use of Dexcom G6 Glucose Sensors can significantly influence the nursing care of diabetic patients. Guidelines on the management of diabetes can be changed to incorporate application of the technology because it has been proved effective in monitoring glucose levels (Akturk et al., 2021). Weekly physical activities can now be recommended by healthcare providers without the fear of development of complications such as hypoglycemia, which is life-threatening. According to researchers, hypoglycemia accounts for a significant number of deaths in diabetic patients (Guillot et al., 2020). is Exercises enable glycemic control and reduce the insulin needs of patients. Therefore, nurses can integrate the new sensors in the care of diabetic patients regardless of their ages (Guillot et al., 2020). Individuals visiting the outpatient clinics for the management of the condition need to be encouraged to buy the gadget and be trained on how they can be used. Through patient advocacy, nurses can also liaise with their organizations and other donor organizations to provide the sensors to their patients at a cheaper cost (Guillot et al., 2020). This will act as a path to the achievement of patient care goals and the goals of the organization.
Nurses can encourage patients to have sensors for self-monitoring of glucose levels, and therefore reducing the work of performing the tests. Data from the gadgets can be used to improve the care outcomes of individuals diagnosed with diabetes (Akturk et al., 2021). In addition, continuous glucose monitoring using the Dexcom G6 Glucose sensors can significantly reduce the cost of care because patients can monitor their glucose levels without the help of nurses and the insulin needs are reduced. The gadgets can also be used in the hospital setting to replace the fingers strips for admitted patients. For patients under home-based care, nurses can recommend the sensors and provide charts for documentation of glucose levels. This can act as a back-up for the date recorded by the gadget. Patients can be encouraged to call healthcare providers in cases where abnormal blood sugar is sensed to prevent the development of complications. In addition, regular follow-ups are critical, especially during physical exercising. According to studies, a significant number of diabetic patients develop complications such as hypoglycemia when they engage in exercises (Guillot et al., 2020). Since the Dexcom G6 glucose sensors provide real-time detection of changes in blood glucose, nurses can use them to prevent the development of severe forms of the condition.
Nurses can use data collected by the sensors in developing diet plans for diabetic patients depending on the recorded levels. Testing glucose levels using finger strips causes stress and discomfort in children, and therefore practicing nurses can use the sensors for glycemic control (Castorino et al., 2020). Physiological processes following fasting in perioperative patients increases the risk for hyperglycemia. Nurses have a major role in ensuring the patients are stable for surgeries through continuous glucose monitoring. In addition, keeping the blood glucose levels within the normal ranges in pregnant women is critical in improving maternal and neonatal outcomes. Nurses should mount the gadgets in the bodies of pregnant mothers in the first antenatal visit for continuous monitoring of glucose levels, especially for mother at risk or already diagnosed with diabetes. Physical exercising can be difficult in the third trimester, which increases the chances of developing gestational diabetes (Guillot et al., 2020). Therefore, integration of the Dexcom G6 Glucose Sensors in nursing practice is anticipated to increase the care outcomes for patients for perioperative mothers and preoperative patients.
References
Castorino, K., Polsky, S., O’Malley, G., Levister, C., Nelson, K., Farfan, C., Brackett, S., Puhr, S., & Levy, C. J. (2020). Performance of the Dexcom G6 Continuous Glucose Monitoring System in pregnant women with diabetes. Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics, 22(12), 943–947. Web.
Akturk, H. K., Dowd, R., Shankar, K., & Derdzinski, M. (2021). Real-world evidence and glycemic improvement using Dexcom G6 features. Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics, 23(S1), S-21. Web.
Guillot, F. H., Jacobs, P. G., Wilson, L. M., Youssef, J. E., Gabo, V. B., Branigan, D. L., Tyler, N. S., Ramsey, K., Riddell, M. C., & Castle, J. R. (2020). Accuracy of the Dexcom G6 Glucose Sensor during aerobic, resistance, and interval exercise in adults with type 1 diabetes. Biosensors, 10(10), 138. Web.