North Staffordshire researchers develop home Diabetes testing approach
North Staffordshire researchers received support from the North Staffordshire Medical Institute (NSMI) to develop a home testing method designed to make routine diabetes monitoring more convenient for patients.
The project, led by Clinical Biochemist Dr Chris Duff, explored whether people with diabetes could collect small blood samples at home for HbA1c testing, rather than having to attend a hospital or clinic every few months.
The work was based at Keele University and University Hospitals of North Midlands and received a £7,515 grant from NSMI.
Making Diabetes monitoring more convenient
HbA1c testing is an important part of diabetes care because it provides an indication of average blood glucose levels over the previous two to three months.
Patients are generally advised to have the test at regular intervals so that healthcare professionals can monitor how well their diabetes is being managed and make changes to treatment where necessary.
However, attending hospital or a clinic for a blood test can be inconvenient, particularly for people who need to take time away from work, travel to an appointment or arrange parking.
The research team therefore investigated whether the monitoring process could be moved into patients' homes.
Collecting blood samples at home
The proposed system used a small finger-prick blood sample, similar to the technique already familiar to many people with diabetes.
Patients would receive a testing kit at home, collect a small amount of blood onto a specially designed card and return it by post to the laboratory.
The sample could then be processed and analysed to measure the patient's HbA1c level.
Researcher Kathryn Ford explained that the aim was to make monitoring easier for patients while helping healthcare teams ensure tests were carried out at the appropriate intervals.
Testing dried blood samples
An important stage of the project involved demonstrating that dried blood samples could remain suitable for laboratory analysis after being transported through the postal system.
The team successfully developed the testing method and showed that samples could be reconstituted and analysed after delivery.
The next stage involved developing the complete home testing kit and working with patients to assess how straightforward and acceptable the process was to use.
A small patient focus group and pilot study were planned to gather feedback before considering whether the approach could be introduced more widely.
Supporting better long-term diabetes care
Regular HbA1c monitoring helps identify when blood glucose levels are consistently higher than recommended.
Poorly controlled diabetes can increase the risk of serious long-term complications affecting the heart, kidneys, eyes, nerves and circulation.
Making routine monitoring easier could therefore encourage more consistent testing and give healthcare professionals better opportunities to identify problems early.
The researchers hoped that home testing could provide greater convenience for patients while also reducing unnecessary hospital visits and improving the efficiency of diabetes services.
Supporting local healthcare innovation
Then NSMI Chairman Professor Shaughn O'Brien welcomed the project as a promising development in diabetes care, highlighting both its potential convenience for patients and its possible contribution to improved monitoring.
The £7,515 research grant demonstrated how charitable funding could help local researchers develop practical innovations with the potential to improve everyday healthcare.
Supporting projects of this kind has been an important part of the work of the North Staffordshire Medical Institute and Wade Charitable Foundation, helping clinicians and researchers test new ideas that could lead to better experiences and outcomes for patients.