Abbott’s new FreeStyle InsuLinx blood glucose monitoring system designed for calculating suggested insulin doses is now available in diabetes centres and select pharmacies across Canada.
The FreeStyle InsuLinx system consists of a touchscreen interface, an automated logbook, personalisation preferences and USB connectivity for plug-and-play reports.
The new glucose monitoring system offers a mealtime insulin calculator and helps insulin-using patients to effectively manage their diabetes, the company said.
The system’s FreeStyle Auto-Assist software will help people with diabetes, healthcare teams and caregivers manage diabetes with reports, reminders and messages.
The blood glucose monitoring system is compatible with the FreeStyle Lite blood glucose test strips with ZipWik tabs5, which will offer easy blood application.
Todd Nelson, Abbott Diabetes Care Canada general manager, said that the FreeStyle InsuLinx blood glucose monitoring system is intended to assist with the day-to-day challenges endured by individuals with diabetes who use insulin.
"The FreeStyle InsuLinx blood glucose monitoring system is the first innovative system in North America offering insulin calculation technology and new features specifically designed for insulin-using patients," Nelson added.
Lori Berard, RN CDE nurse manager at the Health Sciences Centre Diabetes Research Group Clinical Research Program, said some healthcare professionals are reluctant to prescribe insulin and/or intensify treatment as they are concerned that errors may occur when their patients are self-adjusting their insulin.
"For people living with diabetes, they are often hesitant to self adjust. It is encouraging that a product is available that may potentially assist some patients in their diabetes management," Berard added.
"This could provide additional confidence for providers around proper insulin dosing to ensure patients are receiving the most effective therapy for their individual needs."
