Development of a Protocol for Automated Glucose Measurement Transmission Used in Clinical Decision Support Systems Based on the Continua Design Guidelines

BACKGROUND:

A fast and accurate data transmission from glucose meter to clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) is crucial for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus since almost all therapeutic interventions are derived from glucose measurements.

OBJECTIVES:

Aim was to develop a prototype of an automated glucose measurement transmission protocol based on the Continua DesignGuidelines and to embed the protocol into a CDSS used by healthcare professionals.

METHODS:

A literature and market research was performed to analyze the state-of-the-art and thereupon develop, integrate and validate an automated glucose measurement transmission protocol in an iterative process.

RESULTS:

Findings from literature and market research guided towards the development of a standardized glucose measurementtransmission protocol using a middleware. The interface description to communicate with the glucose meter was illustrated and embedded into a CDSS.

CONCLUSION:

A prototype of an interoperable transmission of glucose measurements was developed and implemented in a CDSS presenting a promising way to reduce medication errors and improve user satisfaction.