In recent months, the Bildirici Diabetes Center at Laniado Hospital has acquired innovative glucometers. These are medical devices that determine the concentration of glucose in the blood with a high degree of precision. They have been introduced into all hospitalization departments, making it possible to monitor patient’s blood sugar levels on a daily basis and to identify those who require medication and medical consultation.
The glucometers perform rapid tests of blood sugar levels and send the results, together with patient information (obtained by scanning the barcode on the identification bracelet) and the date of the examination directly to the hospital's computer system. Diabetes Center endocrinologists can closely monitor patients with diabetes and identify those who have high blood sugar levels and are in danger of developing diabetes.
"Unfortunately, many patients are not aware of their blood sugar level," says Dr. Mark Niven, Director of the Endocrinology and Diabetes Unit and of the Diabetes Center. “Diabetes is known as a silent disease that sleeps for a long time before bursting out with intensity. The glucometers we acquired have a very high degree of accuracy, and only three other hospitals in Israel have them. The precise testing that is carried out together with the automatic collection of data allows us, as endocrinologists, to identify patients who have unbalanced diabetes or those who are borderline or those who are already sick but are unaware of that. In addition, we receive requests from the various departments to provide medical consultation to patients who are aware of their condition. These are life-saving devices that can also enhance the quality of life, because diabetes can be detected at an early stage, a stage at which it is possible to balance blood sugar levels through a healthy lifestyle and medication if necessary. "