- β75% of hospitalized patients preferred CGM over traditional finger-stick glucose testing
- β95% of CGM users felt comfortable with it as their primary glucose management method in hospital
- βOnly 5% reported any discomfort, mostly mild itching β making CGM well-tolerated in a hospital setting
| Journal | Diabetic medicine : a journal of the British Diabetic Association |
| Year | 2025 |
| Authors | Olsen, Vikner, Jensen |
| PMID | 40722231 |
What Was Studied and Why It Matters
When you're admitted to the hospital with type 2 diabetes, keeping your blood sugar in a safe range becomes even more critical β and more complicated. Researchers from the DIATEC trial wanted to know something surprisingly simple: do hospital patients actually like using continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) instead of the traditional finger-prick blood sugar tests? Until now, most hospital CGM research focused on accuracy and health outcomes, but patient experience was largely overlooked.
How the Study Worked
The study followed 166 non-ICU hospital patients with type 2 diabetes. They were randomly split into two groups:
- 82 patients used standard point-of-care (POC) finger-stick glucose testing
- 84 patients wore a CGM sensor for continuous glucose readings throughout their stay
Both groups were cared for by specialized inpatient diabetes teams. Before leaving the hospital, every patient filled out a satisfaction survey about their glucose monitoring experience and overall diabetes care.
What the Researchers Found
The results were striking on the CGM side:
- 75% of CGM users said they preferred CGM over traditional finger sticks β a statistically significant preference
- 95% of CGM patients felt comfortable with CGM as their primary glucose management tool
- Only about 5% reported any discomfort from wearing the sensor, mostly mild itching at the sensor site
- Overall satisfaction with diabetes care was high and nearly identical in both groups β 77% in each group reported being satisfied or very satisfied with their total diabetes management
- 95% of all patients felt comfortable having a dedicated diabetes team manage their care in the hospital
What This Means for Real Patients
If you or a loved one is ever hospitalized with type 2 diabetes, this research is reassuring. CGM technology β the same kind of wearable sensor used at home by millions of people β works well in the hospital setting and is welcomed by the vast majority of patients. Fewer finger pricks means less discomfort during an already stressful hospital stay, while still keeping glucose levels closely monitored around the clock.
For those already managing diabetes at home with a CGM from a trusted supplier like MDS Diabetes, the transition to hospital CGM use may feel especially familiar and comfortable. And when you're discharged, continuing that same CGM routine at home supports the consistent monitoring your care team recommends.
A Note on Sensor Comfort
The small number of patients who experienced itching is worth noting. Skin sensitivity to adhesives is a known consideration with wearable CGM sensors. If you experience this at home, speak with your diabetes care team about skin-prep solutions or alternative sensor placement options.
Bottom Line
Hospital patients with type 2 diabetes overwhelmingly prefer continuous glucose monitors over repeated finger-stick tests β and feel confident in the care they receive when a dedicated diabetes team is involved. This study supports broader adoption of CGM technology in hospital settings, making glucose management less disruptive and more patient-friendly during what is already a difficult time.