Upgraded app for diabetes management launched

Ascensia Diabetes Care has launched an upgraded version of its Contour Diabetes app to help improve self-management for diabetic patients.

Available in the UK and Ireland, the app connects to the Contour Next One blood glucose meter and includes new features which can intelligently analyse blood glucose results.

The new My Patterns feature analyses data received from the meter to identify and notify the user about any sub-optimal blood glucose readings. Once notified, the app will then continue to tell users about the possible causes of their blood glucose readings and provide guidance to help address it.

Patients can set reminders or use testing plans to improve their blood glucose patterns and can track their progress to see if their levels improve over time.

The latest version of the app includes the ability to recognise 14 different patterns and includes 11 different structured testing plans.

Ascensia Diabetes Care plan to develop the app further to include additional patterns and testing plans, new features and functionality. The My Patterns feature has been developed using behavioural science concepts based on a model pioneered by psychologist Dr William Fisher.

The model works on the basis that people with diabetes need actionable information and motivation in order to make changes that can improve the management of their diabetes.

Heather Daly, independent nurse consultant, said: “Self-management is critical in diabetes. One of the keys to effective diabetes self-management for patients is to provide them with tools that can help them to understand how their lifestyle or activities affect their diabetes and how they can make adjustments. Digital and mobile technologies have significant potential to assist people with diabetes improve their self-management behaviours through personalised solutions. The new Contour Diabetes app represents a real advance in the use of data for diabetes management by identifying sub-optimal patterns and providing tailored reminders that can support patients in making improvements.”

Ros Barker, Country Head UK and Ireland for Ascensia Diabetes Care, said: “This latest upgrade to the Contour Diabetes app provides patients with a smarter tool that can help to make the self-management of their diabetes easier. We are very excited to be able to bring this new innovation to people with diabetes. At Ascensia we are listening to feedback from people with diabetes about their needs, and are continuing to invest in the further development of the Contour Diabetes app, so that we can provide solutions that make diabetes self-management better, easier and smarter.”