Kelsey
O. is a 13 year old insulin dependent patient who we started on an Animas
pump last January.
As her pump trainer and pharmacist we were downloading her old meter
once every 2 weeks in order to capture all the readings.
In February we, at Diabetes in Control, were given a new OneTouch UltraSmart
meter. I gave the meter to Kelsey to use and she has offered to share
her experiences and quick use tips with us.
The World’s Best Meter
By Kelsey O.
The OneTouch UltraSmart is the best meter I have used. It is a lot
more convenient, because I can record everything on the meter. It also
can hold over 3,000 records in memory, and is very easy to use.
There are 5 buttons, called SmartButtons, which I use daily. The SmartButtons
allow me to record my exercise, health notes and health checks, my medication,
and what I eat. The last SmartButton holds important information like
my log book and glucose averages.
The exercise SmartButton allows me to record what time I exercised
or played, how long, and whether the exercise was mild, moderate, or
hard.
The health SmartButton allows me to make health notes and record health
checks. I have recorded my Hb A1c, my height, and weight, my eye and
foot exams, and my cholesterol, and blood pressure.
The medication SmartButton allows me to record what medication I take
and when I take it. I have an insulin pump, and I always input how much
I bolus.
The food SmartButton allows me to enter what time I ate a meal or a
snack, and record how many carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and calories
I ate.
The SmartButton that my educator and doctor like the most is called
the Fast-facts button. This is my electronic log book with my readings,
carb counts, exercise log and bolus doses that we took. In the fast-facts
menu we can look at averages of my sugar by the time of the day and
overall, for the last 7, 14, 30, 60, and 90 days. We can also look at
my glucose averages before and after I exercise. We can see my average
daily dose of insulin by the type before and after meals. We can also
see my average daily intake of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and calories
for the last 7, 14, 30, 60, and 90 days. We can look at incidence of
hypoglycemia before and after meals, also for the last 7, 14, 30, 60,
and 90 days. Lastly, we can look at glucose ranges and what percent
of my sugars are above, below or within my target range.
If I am having a problem or visit my doctor or educator it is very
convenient to be able to review everything without using a log book
or having to download the meter into a computer.
The OneTouch UltraSmart has made it a lot easier for me to keep track
of my diabetes. Overall, I would say it is the best meter I have used.
Kelsey’s Quick Tips
Food Smartbutton – Push the food Smartbutton,
then choose the time by pressing the OK button or push the down direction
button and choose “other time.” If you choose “other
time”, enter the date, then push the OK button, and then enter
the time you want. After choosing the time, select breakfast, lunch,
dinner, snack, or alcohol then push the OK button. Enter in the carbohydrates,
fats, calories, and proteins by using the up and down arrows and pushing
the OK button, when you have the correct buttons.
Medication Smartbutton – Push the medication
Smartbutton, choose the time or choose “other time” and
enter the time you want then push the OK button. Choose pill A or pill
B, insulin A or insulin B, or pump bolus by pushing the OK button. Enter
my medication by using the up and down arrows. When you’re done
push the OK button.
Exercise Smartbutton – Push the exercise Smartbutton,
choose mild, moderate, or hard, then push the OK button. Then enter
the duration to the nearest 5 minutes and push the OK button.
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About the Author
Kelsey O. lives in Madeira Beach Florida, and has type-one diabetes.
She has been using an Animas IR1000 pump. After working with her physician
and educator for the past 6 months she has lowered her A1c from 8.1
to 6.9 and has eliminated her severe hypoglycemia. Kelsey has been a
model patient and the discipline she exhibits is a great example for
all of us.
