Accuracy of Continuous Glucose Monitors for Inpatient Diabetes Management

In hospitalized patients, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) may improve glycemic control, prevent hypoglycemic events, and reduce staff workload compared with point-of-care (POC) capillary glucose monitoring.

To evaluate CGM accuracy and safety of use in the inpatient setting, two versions of CGM sensors were placed on 43 and 34 adult patients with diabetes admitted to non-intensive care unit (ICU) medical wards, respectively. CGM accuracy relative to POC and safety of use were measured by calculating mean absolute relative difference (MARD) and by Clarke Error Grid (CEG) analysis.

CGM version 2 had improved accuracy compared with CGM version 1 with MARD 17.7 compared with 21.4%. CGM accuracy did not change with POC value or with time of sensor wear. On CEG, 98.8% of paired values fell within acceptable zones A and B.

Despite reduced accuracy compared with the outpatient setting, both versions of CGMs had acceptable safety profiles in the inpatient setting.