Abbott donates 25,000 FreeStyle Libre sensors to US hospitals amid COVID-19
A total of 25,000 FreeStyle Libre sensors have been donated to hospitals in America where major COVID-19 outbreaks have been located.
The generous donation has been made by Abbott, in partnership with the American Diabetes Association, Insulin for Life USA and Diabetes Disaster Response Coalition.
Hundreds of hospitals in outbreak hotspots had reached out to Abbott with order inquiries on using the sensors in hospitals.
Research published in the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology suggested that diabetes, and high glucose levels in people who did not have diabetes, are strong predictors of mortality among people admitted to hospital with COVID-19.
In addition, a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), found that more than 50 per cent of people with diabetes who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 are hospitalised.
Remote monitoring during this public health crisis is vital, especially in hospitals where healthcare workers need to minimise COVID-19 exposures and preserve PPE.
Access to Abbot’s FreeStyle Libre 14 day system allows frontline healthcare workers to remotely monitor and protect their admitted patients with diabetes while continuing to tend to the influx of critical care needs.
Dr Eugene Wright, Jr, medical director for performance improvement at the Charlotte Area Health Education Center in North Carolina, said: “There’s been a spike in demand for health technology as hospitals are looking for ways to minimise COVID-19 exposure, especially to high-risk patients such as people with chronic conditions like diabetes.
“Having access to technology like FreeStyle Libre 14 day system allows physicians to keep a close eye on hospitalised patients while minimising transmission risks, PPE use and contact with hospital staff.”
Jared Watkin, senior vice president of Diabetes Care, Abbott, said: “We appreciate the FDA’s quick action to make medical products available during this public health crisis.
“By working with our partners at the American Diabetes Association to arm frontline healthcare workers with FreeStyle Libre technology, Abbott will enable them to protect and monitor their patients with diabetes, limit COVID-19 exposure and also manage the influx of critical care needs.”