Use of structured self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) regimens improves clinical outcomes and quality of life in patients with insulin-treated 1,2 and non-insulin-treated diabetes.3-6 However, effective utilization of structured SMBG requires that patients are able to correctly interpret their blood glucose (bG) results and take appropriate actions when needed. 7Anecdotal evidence suggests that many patients with diabetes do not know how to identify and interpret SMBG results or how their medications and health behaviors (eg, diet, exercise) influence their bG levels. 8,9 This not only impacts patients' ability to achieve and maintain desired glycemic control but can also negatively affect adherence to their prescribed testing frequency. 10To assist SMBG users in better understanding their glucose testing results, many manufacturers are now incorporating bG result interpretation tools into their SMBG meters. Some systems utilize simple 2-or 3-color bar configurations to indicate within-range and out-of-range glucose values; 11,12 whereas, others utilize basic interfaces, such as "smiley" icons, to inform users. AbstractBackground: Manufacturers now incorporate blood glucose (bG) value interpretation tools into their monitoring systems; however, usability of these support tools has not been well studied. We evaluated the utility and perceived benefits of support tool use by individuals with type 1 (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods:This 3-arm, randomized, simulation study assessed the impact of use of bG value interpretation support tools on participants' ability to correctly interpret bG values, using 1 of 3 tools: a new tool that uses colored scales with target range indicator (TRI), Colors and Smiley icons (already available). Participants assessed 50 bG values without use of any tool and repeated the assessment using 1 of the 3 tool configurations. Changes in percentage of correct responses when using a support tool and user perceptions were assessed.Results: Data sets from 140 participants were analyzed. Increases in correct responses were seen in all study groups but most notably in the TRI group (26%, P < .001) versus the Colors (3%, P = .018) and Smiley icons (6%, P < .001) groups. Significant improvements in confidence were seen among TRI users (P = .023) but not among other tool users (P > .627). Most TRI users felt confident (94%), agreed the tool will help them identify high and low values (96%) and will help them to make correct insulin dosage decisions (80%). Conclusions:Use of the TRI significantly increases users' ability to correctly and confidently determine their glycemic risk when self-monitoring bG levels. This suggests the tool may offer clinical value to individuals with T1D and T2D.

Background In the development of medical devices usability is an important aspect standing alongside performance and safety. Peritoneal dialysis (PD) can be provided by use of automated PD (APD), assisted by a cycler performing the solution exchanges. The present study has been executed to simulate training on APD cyclers to evaluate learnability and usability through established questionnaires. Methods Usability of two APD cyclers (sleep•safe harmony, Fresenius Medical Care, Bad Homburg, Germany and HomeChoice Pro, Baxter International Inc., Deerfield (IL), USA) were evaluated with the User Experience Questionnaire (UEQ), the NASA TLX Questionnaire, and the System Usability Scale (SUS), both after training and after experience sessions. Results Lay persons (n = 10) and health care personnel (HCPs, n = 11) participated in the study. The respondents consistently gave positive ratings in the UEQ after training and experience session. The ratings from the NASA TLX Questionnaire were mostly below 50 points indicating a low workload. Lay users and HCPs gave high ratings in the SUS evaluation both after the training and experience sessions confirming a good learnability and usability of the devices. Conclusions The usability study to assess learnability and use-related safety revealed consistent results with all applied instruments, which demonstrated good learnability and ease-of-use of the studied APD cyclers.

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