Innovative
Handheld Computer System Being Tested For Diabetes Control
Emory University
endocrinologists at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta have become the
first in the nation to apply an FDA-approved computerized decision support
protocol, the Intelligent Dosing System, to the treatment and management
of diabetes.
Building on historic dose-and-response
data from 190 patients in the Grady Diabetes Clinic, the Intelligent
Dosing System promises to provide safer, more effective and economical
drug treatment by individualizing medications prescribed for diabetic
patients, according to the system's manufacturer, The RxFiles Corporation
of Sarasota County, Florida. The IDS was originally developed to adjust
doses of medications used to prevent transplant rejection, and to manage
the treatment of patients who need to take blood thinners. It was approved
by the FDA in August 2001.
The study at Grady is the
first attempt to see if the IDS can be applied in the management of
diabetes, particularly insulin adjustment.
"Diabetes is a leading cause
of illness, disability, and death in the United States," said Curtiss
Cook, M.D., associate professor of medicine at the Emory University
School of Medicine, and one of the first physicians to use the Intelligent
Dosing System for treatment of any disease in a clinical setting. "By
lowering blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels, however,
many of the complications of diabetes can be prevented, and patients
can lead a healthier life." This technology, Dr. Cook explained, "should
help us take much of the guesswork out of how to adjust diabetes medications,
thus allowing us to treat patients more effectively."
The system is based on a
hand-held Palm Pilot computer platform, and can also be accessed with
Windows or Windows CE Operating Systems. A "next" dose calculator is
used in conjunction with a comprehensive database to determine the patient's
last dose, current dose and the desired concentration of medication.
This can be determined and changed as necessary by the healthcare provider,
based upon the unique combination of circumstances presented by the
patient's condition, disease progression, co-morbidities, compliance
and therapeutic response.
By using a very brief amount
of easily gathered patient information, and selecting any marker (such
as blood sugar) that is clearly affected by the drug, this system has
proven to be very accurate.
The goal is to use the system
to evaluate 200 to 300 patients by May 2003. Expectations and early
indications are that the system will prove to be an effective way to
reduce medical complications and improve patient care. Nurses are already
using the system, and others are waiting to be trained.
The IDS dosing system is
actually a suite of three software applications designed for use on
a handheld personal digital assistant or computer. The three applications
include DoseRx, a "next" dose calculator; InterchangeRx, a calculator
that safely switches patients between drugs, from brands to generics,
or between drug classes while maintaining the original agent's established
therapeutic effect; and Practice PrescribeRx, a graded prescriber training
simulator to introduce new drugs, refresh experience with seldom used
drugs, and document proficiency among medical professionals.
About The RxFiles Corporation:
Located in Sarasota County, Florida, the RxFiles Corporation (TRxF)
is a leader in the biotech field in drug dosing, drug development and
disease management systems. RxFiles was founded in 1998 by John D. Kutzko,
Michaeal G. Singer, and John P. McMichael. Further information is available
at the company's website, www.rxfiles.net,
via email from info@rxfiles.net,
or by calling (941) 483-3784.
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