Welcome back to Diabetes Dialogue: Technology, Therapeutics, & Real-World Perspectives!

Video Version only on HCPLive!

In this episode of Diabetes Dialogue, hosts Diana Isaacs, PharmD, an endocrine clinical pharmacist, director of Education and Training in Diabetes Technology, and co-director of Endocrine Disorders in Pregnancy at the Cleveland Clinic, and Natalie Bellini, DNP, program director of Diabetes Technology at University Hospitals Diabetes and Metabolic Care Center, explore the updated American Diabetes (ADA) 2025 Standards of Care, focusing on technology advancements in diabetes management.

The discussion highlighted significant advancements and updated recommendations in diabetes care, particularly surrounding continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and automated insulin delivery (AID) systems. In particular, hosts pointed to stronger ADA recommendations for CGM use, including for individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) not on insulin therapy, and emphasized the importance of CGM for all patients on insulin therapy to reduce hypoglycemia risks. They also touched on the potential of over-the-counter CGMs to guide medication adjustments and lifestyle changes for prediabetes and T2D.

A notable topic is the ADA's revised stance on open-source AID systems, explicitly asking clinicians to support and guide patients who use these open-source systems. In particular, the organization recognized its potential to improve outcomes and urged providers to understand the underlying algorithms as they continue to advance. Isaacs and Bellini also highlighted the role of CGM and AID systems during pregnancy, emphasizing the early initiation of technology to achieve personalized glycemic targets and optimize outcomes.

The discussion expanded on the seamless integration of CGM during hospital discharge programs, as well as ADA recommendations that AID systems become the preferred insulin delivery method for people with type 1 diabetes (T1D), with growing support for their use in T2D on basal or multiple daily insulin injections. They addressed challenges such as Medicare restrictions on pump coverage for T2D, and insurance denial of test strips for CGM users, emphasizing the critical need for test strips as backups during CGM failures.

Their conversation also zeroed in on the ADA’s new guidance on allowing insulin pump use during hospitalization when clinically appropriate. Bellini stressed the importance of patient independence and education, advocating for hospitals to enable pump use if patients or caregivers can manage them. Hosts underscored the importance of patients bringing sufficient supplies to hospitals, as most facilities do not stock them.

Throughout the episode, Isaacs and Bellini emphasized the transformative potential of diabetes technology, urging clinicians to embrace and adapt to advancements to better support patients. They advocated for empowering individuals to manage their care, educate healthcare providers, and push for policy changes that improve access, equity, and outcomes in diabetes management.

00:01 Introduction, Updates on CGM for Type 2 Diabetes

03:14 Support for Open Source AID Systems

09:14 Improved Guidelines for AID and Pregnancy

13:34 Early Initiation of CGM and AID

18:46 Advocacy for CGM and Test Strips

21:52 Insulin Pumps During Hospitalization

25:35 Conclusion