Leading Change: Technology Striving Smart Community Care to Enhance Support to High-Risk Elderly in Community :3 years’ Experiences Sharing

Introduction

Hong Kong Hospital Authority (HKHA) reported that 10% of HK population were suffering from Diabetes Mellitus (DM) in 2011, 20% of which were aged over 65. HK citizens with medical needs and under care by HKHA are supported by community nurses for treatment continuum and self-care empowerment in community setting, most of them being frail elderly.

 

Furthermore, elderly DM patients are prone to have undetected hypoglycaemia which can lead to hospitalization and even death. Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) at home are generally advised. However, such measure only yields static values, and it is highly dependent on patients’ compliance.

 

Consequently, it can be hard for community nurses to understand patients’ real glucose profile to reduce DM complications.

 

Continue glucose monitoring (CGM) system provides 24-hours monitoring for 10-14 days at a time, illustrating patients’ glucose profile clearly. To enhance the quality care to the vulnerable DM patients, NTEC COST conducted a pilot

program to use CGM device to support high-risk DM elderly patients in community since August 2020.