Technology transforms lives of employees with diabetes during COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has benefit managers across Canada asking: How can we help employees, particularly those with chronic conditions, stay safe and stay healthy in these unprecedented circumstances? 

For employees with diabetes, monitoring their glucose is an essential way to reduce the risk of health complications and co-morbidities that can affect them during their prime working years.  

The FreeStyle Libre system — a flash glucose monitoring system that offers real-time glucose readings through a sensor worn on the back of the upper arm — is a life-changing technology that helps people living with diabetes manage their condition and connect with their health-care professional virtually through remote data sharing.1

The FreeStyle Libre system has been transformative for people like Stéphane Landry. At 55, he has been living with diabetes for more than two decades — and working rotating day and night shifts at a Canadian mine in the far north. This made finger pricking inconvenient, and an obstacle to managing his diabetes effectively while at work.

'It gives me peace of mind'
“It's really great that with the FreeStyle Libre system I can check my glucose level any time,2 any place,3 using my smartphone,”4 he says. “I can keep an eye out for sudden fluctuations and adjust my diet accordingly. I feel more in control and it gives me the peace of mind I need so that I can focus on doing my job.”

The FreeStyle Libre system does more than just eliminate the need for painful finger pricking.5 Users can scan the sensor with their smartphone4 any time2 to get a glucose reading4 and the data can be shared remotely1 and securely with a health-care practitioner or a caregiver.

“Being able to closely monitor my glucose levels and share that data with my doctor remotely5 means fewer in-person visits and less time off work,” says Landry.

The ability to share this information with the health-care professional is increasingly vital in the context of COVID-19, with limited access to medical clinics and in-person appointments.

The FreeStyle Libre system also empowers users to see how lifestyle, diet, medication and activity impacts their glucose results, so they can make more thoughtful and timely self-management decisions.

“Studies have shown that uncontrolled diabetes results not only in more sick days but also significant lost productivity during work hours,” says Nazli Topors, medical director at Abbott Diabetes Care Canada. 

“The FreeStyle Libre system can provide a significant benefit to people living with diabetes — allowing them to self-manage their diabetes in a whole new, insightful way, while also facilitating virtual care instead of in-person visits with their health-care providers.”

Benefits for employers
In the “new normal,” it’s more important than ever that those living with diabetes have the support and the tools they need to stay healthy and safe on the job. However, for many Canadians, the use of these tools is affected by cost. For employees living with diabetes, coverage of the FreeStyle Libre system can help them keep their glucose under control. 

“I'm fortunate to have group insurance at my job, which covers the cost of the flash glucose monitoring system,” says Landry. “Having access to FreeStyle Libre gives me the tools I need to manage my diabetes so that I can be healthy and productive.” 

In today’s environment, employers need to find ways to differentiate themselves, to retain their talented employees and to engage them in their health.6 Given the growing prevalence and the associated cost of diabetes in the workplace, employers can benefit as much as their employees by providing access to virtual care tools that can keep them safe, healthy and focused on managing their work — not their diabetes.

For more information on how the FreeStyle Libre system is helping people to better manage their diabetes during these unprecedented times, visit www.MyFreeStyle.ca or the FreeStyle Diabetes Canada YouTube page at https://bit.ly/3kW9Y3S.

The FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system is indicated for measuring interstitial fluid glucose levels in adults aged 18 years and older with diabetes mellitus. Always read and follow the label/insert. This article was paid for by Abbott, a manufacturer of diabetes care products in Canada. This is an actual testimonial of a FreeStyle Libre system user and Abbott has consent to use their story. Consent is on file with Abbott.

1. The LibreLinkUp app is only compatible with certain mobile device and operating systems. Please check www.librelinkup.com for more information about device compatibility before using the app. Use of LibreLinkUp and FreeStyle LibreLink requires registration with LibreView. The LibreLinkUp mobile app is not intended to be a primary glucose monitor: Home users must consult their primary device(s) and consult a healthcare professional before making any medical interpretation and therapy adjustments from the information provided by the app.

2. 60-minute warm-up is required when applying the sensor.

3. The sensor is water-resistant in up to one metre (three feet) of water. Do not immerse longer than 30 minutes. Not to be used above 10,000 feet.

4. The FreeStyle LibreLink app and the FreeStyle Libre reader have similar but not identical features. A finger prick test using a blood glucose meter is required during times of rapidly changing glucose levels when interstitial fluid glucose levels may not accurately reflect blood glucose levels or if hypoglycaemia or impending hypoglycaemia is reported by the FreeStyle LibreLink app or when symptoms do not match the app readings. The FreeStyle Libre sensor communicates with the FreeStyle Libre reader that started it or the FreeStyle LibreLink app that started it. A sensor started by the FreeStyle Libre reader will also communicate with the FreeStyle LibreLink app. The FreeStyle LibreLink app is only compatible with certain mobile devices and operating systems. Please check the website for more information about device compatibility before using the app. Use of FreeStyle LibreLink requires registration with LibreView.

5. A finger prick test using a blood glucose meter is required during times of rapidly changing glucose levels when interstitial fluid glucose levels may not accurately reflect blood glucose levels or if hypoglycaemia or impending hypoglycaemia is reported by the system or when symptoms do not match the system readings.

6. Canadian HR Reporter, “Virtual care grows in popularity.” (Accessed Oct. 16, 2020, at https://www.hrreporter.com/focus-areas/compensation-and-benefits/virtu-al-care-grows-in-popularity/327968).

© 2020 Abbott. FreeStyle, Libre and related brand marks are marks of Abbott. Product images are for illustrative purposes only. ADC-28558