What medical devices can pharmacy technicians in Alberta, Canada teach about?

Medical Devices for Pharmacy Technician Education in Alberta, Canada

Pharmacy technicians in Alberta can provide education on blood glucose monitoring devices, continuous glucose monitoring systems, insulin delivery devices (syringes, pens, and pumps), and associated supplies including test strips, lancets, and sharps disposal containers.

Blood Glucose Monitoring (BGM) Devices

Pharmacy technicians are well-positioned to educate patients on BGM systems, as these devices are commonly dispensed through community pharmacies and require proper technique for accurate results 1.

Key Educational Points for BGM Devices:

• Meter selection and accuracy: Only FDA-approved meters (or Health Canada-approved equivalents) with proven accuracy should be recommended, using unexpired test strips purchased from licensed pharmacies 1
• Proper testing technique: Patients should be taught when to check blood glucose—when fasting, before meals and snacks, at bedtime, before/during/after exercise, when hypoglycemia is suspected, and after treating low blood glucose until normoglycemic 1
• Coding requirements: Some meters like the FreeStyle Lite system eliminate user coding requirements, simplifying the process for patients 2
• Factors affecting accuracy: Technicians should educate about medications (high-dose vitamin C), hypoxemia, temperature ranges, and hematocrit levels that can interfere with meter accuracy 1
• Cost considerations: Out-of-pocket costs often become the determining factor in final meter selection, making cost education crucial 3

Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) Systems

While CGM prescription and clinical management remain physician responsibilities, pharmacy technicians can provide device education and troubleshooting support 1.

CGM Device Categories to Educate About:

• Real-time CGM (rtCGM): Systems that continuously measure and display glucose levels 1
• Intermittently scanned CGM (isCGM): Systems like FreeStyle Libre that measure continuously but only display values when scanned by a reader or smartphone 1, 4
• Calibration requirements: Some systems require SMBG confirmation for treatment decisions (adjunctive devices), while others do not (nonadjunctive devices) 1

Critical CGM Education Points:

• Backup BGM requirement: Patients using CGM must always have access to BGM devices for calibration, when CGM accuracy is suspected, during sensor warm-up, and when glucose is changing rapidly (>2 mg/dL/min) 1
• Sensor placement and rotation: Sensors should be placed on healthy subcutaneous tissue, avoiding areas of scarring or lipohypertrophy 1
• Alarm/alert settings: Training on alarm settings at initiation is crucial to avoid alarm overload 1
• Sensor problems: Common issues include early sensor detachment, particularly in pediatric populations, requiring special attention to adhesive techniques 4

Insulin Delivery Devices

Pharmacy technicians can educate on the full spectrum of insulin delivery methods, from basic syringes to advanced pump systems 1.

Insulin Injection Devices:

• Syringes and pen needles: Education on proper injection technique, site rotation, and the risks of needle reuse 1
• Safety-engineered devices: Both ends of pen needles should be protected; these devices are required in institutional settings and recommended for patients with bloodborne diseases 1
• Injection site selection: Preferred sites include abdomen (avoiding umbilicus and bony prominences), upper third anterior lateral thighs, posterior lateral upper buttocks/flanks, and middle third posterior upper arm 1
• Site rotation protocols: Patients must rotate injection sites to minimize lipohypertrophy and lipoatrophy risks 1

Insulin Pump (CSII) Education:

• Infusion cannula placement: Must be inserted into healthy subcutaneous fat, avoiding muscle, skin irritation, scarring, and areas of lipohypertrophy 1
• Site change frequency: Infusion sites should typically not exceed 72 hours and should be rotated to new locations 1
• Troubleshooting: If bleeding or significant pain occurs on insertion, the set should be removed and replaced immediately 1

Sharps Disposal and Safety

This is a critical area where pharmacy technicians provide frontline education 1.

Sharps Disposal Education:

• Proper disposal procedures: Sharps must never be placed directly in public or household trash 1
• Patient responsibility: Correct disposal procedures must be taught at the time of dispensing and regularly reinforced 1
• Safe disposal systems: Patients should be educated on available sharps disposal containers and community take-back programs 1
• Needle recapping prohibition: Patients should be taught never to recap needles 1
• Environmental considerations: Special education is needed for patients in care homes, schools, or environments where others may be at risk of sharps contact 1

Practical Implementation Considerations

Common Pitfalls to Avoid:

• Assuming all meters are equally accurate: Significant differences exist between brands; the American Diabetes Association emphasizes using only approved meters with proven accuracy 1
• Neglecting cost discussions: Patients who cannot afford testing supplies will not perform recommended testing intervals, making all other factors irrelevant 3
• Inadequate follow-up education: Device education is not a one-time event—ongoing training and technique evaluation are essential for optimal outcomes 1
• Forgetting backup supplies: Every CGM user must have BGM supplies available at all times 1

Documentation and Labeling:

• Medication labeling standards: Every medication container should be labeled with drug name, date, and concentration 1
• Supply expiration tracking: Technicians should educate patients to use unexpired strips and supplies 1