A Clinical Study Conducted at LCH Health and Community Services (LCH) Shows LifeScan’s OneTouch® Blood Glucose Meter and Spanish-Language Diabetes Management App Significantly Improved Diabetes Management for People with Diabetes in an Underserved Hispanic Population.

LifeScan Study Panel Reflects on the Impact of Integrating Technology and Care Management in Patients with Diabetes at LCH, a Federally Qualified Health Center in Chester County, Pennsylvania.

Tu Salud Study offers an innovative model for care in underserved communities.

The LCH clinical team behind Tu Salud (Your Health), a clinical study that explored the impact of integrating technology with patient care for people with diabetes with low literacy/low numeracy skills, reflected on the significant results of the study during a panel session for healthcare professionals last week.

Over 300 participants across the country registered to join the panel webinar presentation. On the panel representing LCH was Family Nurse Practitioner Fatima Sattar, MSN, CRNP, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC, and Medical Assistant Johana Guzman, CMA. Sattar was one the LCH providers involved in the clinical study and Guzman trained fellow LCH staff as well as patients on how to install, connect, and understand the technology. Other panelists included Larry Katz, PhD, Elizabeth Holt, MD, FACE, Head of Global Medical, Clinical and Safety at LifeScan, and Lorena Drago, MS, RD, CDN, CDCES, Multicultural Nutrition Education Expert, ADCES, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Chair and In Practice Editorial Board.

The study, which was published in Diabetes Spectrum, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Diabetes Association, showed that using LifeScan’s OneTouch Verio Flex® meter with a Spanish-language version of its OneTouch Reveal® mobile application (app) led to significant and sustained improvement in diabetes management. Blood glucose levels not only improved, but patients reflected that they had a better understanding of their diabetes as well. Read the full press release about the study from LifeScan.

“The Tu Salud study gave LCH a data driven format to demonstrate our ability to efficiently identify and enroll clinical study participants and conduct clinical trials that are meaningful to our patients in our community”, said Chief Executive Officer Ronan W. Gannon. “Regardless of literacy or numeracy level, technology is a part of our everyday lives, and our patient engagement needs to follow suit.” Sattar commented during the panel that “most patients, regardless of demographic or education level, always have their phones with them. By incorporating the app into the cell phone technology that they already have, patients are set up for success when it comes to actively managing their health and wellness.”

“There is an urgent need to address the disparities in diabetes outcomes experienced by communities in the US that are socioeconomically disadvantaged. In particular, African Americans and Hispanics with diabetes generally exhibit worse glycemic measures and poorer outcomes relative to non-Hispanic whites1,2,” said Dr. Elizabeth Holt, Head of Global Medical, Clinical, and Safety, LifeScan. “The Tu Salud study findings reinforce the importance of providing people with diabetes with relevant tools that give meaning to their glucose numbers and foster greater understanding of how to manage the condition. The findings show that with the right tools and support, people can build their skills and achieve better results.”

As a result of the successful completion of this study, LCH expects to participate in other clinical trials like Tu Salud, and to find sustainable support through grants and other funding sources to allow for further technology to be a part of patient care.

About LCH:
LCH (LCH Health and Community Services) is a diverse, dynamic health care and patient services team that is dedicated to helping adults, teens, and children to stay healthy. As a nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center, LCH believes in quality, integrated, person-centered care that supports health and well-being for all. Founded in 1973, LCH has been changing lives for almost fifty years. LCH accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and most private insurance. Insurance or no insurance, LCH will take care of you. LCH evaluates our patients to determine their eligibility for discounted services. Our sliding scale fees are based on our patients income and family size. LCH doesn’t turn anyone away due to inability to pay.

1 Saydah S et al Race and ethnic differences in glycemic control among adults with diagnosed diabetes in the US. Ethn Dis 2007;17:529–535
2 Karter AJ et al. Ethnic disparities in diabetic complications in an insured population. JAMA 2002;287:2519–2527