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Clinical skills · Focus area 3

Interpreting and acting on device data

Turn device data into sound care decisions. This skill covers checking that continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and insulin delivery data are good enough to use, reading core metrics and patterns, then deciding on next steps within your scope.

This page brings together report-reading guides, point-of-care review tools and education on interpreting data.

Curated bydanatech Clinical Staff
UpdatedNovember 2026

What this skill covers

Reading patterns and translating them into care decisions.

Core metrics

  • Time in Range and other core metrics
  • Recognizing patterns and trends over time
  • Interpreting variability and consistency

What data can tell you

  • What device data can and cannot tell you
  • Identifying hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia patterns
  • Explaining data concepts in patient-friendly terms

From data to decisions

  • Adjusting care plans based on data, within role and scope
  • How data informs insulin delivery and automated insulin delivery (AID) systems
  • Supporting safe correction strategies and next steps

Before you act on any data

If the person’s condition is urgent, treat the person, not the report.

  • Severe hypoglycemia that needs assistance, or signs of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA): emergency assessment under your local emergency protocol
  • Readings that don’t match symptoms: confirm with a fingerstick before acting
  • A change outside your scope or orders: hand off with the data and context

Start here

The three resources we recommend first for this skill. CE/CME credit and end dates are shown where offered; available credit varies by profession.

  • Clinical Explainer/ArticleLearn

    Understand and Act on CGM Data

    How to read a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) report, what to look at first and how to turn patterns into next steps.

    Open CGM data guide
  • Clinical AssessmentApply

    PANTHER CGM Tools

    Point-of-care clinic tools for reviewing CGM data in a visit.

    Open PANTHER CGM tools
  • WebinarLearn0.75 CE/CME · through Dec 12, 2026

    Using CGM in a Busy Clinical Practice: How, Whom, and Data Interpretation

    Who to start on CGM, how to fit it into clinic flow and how to interpret the data.

    View webinar

Find tools and resources

Choose a resource based on your clinical question or the setting where you’re providing care. Each is labeled by type and by how you’ll use it: Learn, Practice or Apply.

  • Clinical Explainer/ArticleLearnCGM Data and Report InterpretationRead CGM download reports, including the AGP, to find patterns and their likely causes.
  • Clinical ReferenceLearnDiabetes Tech GlossaryLook up diabetes technology terms and abbreviations. Also in: Understanding and starting devices

More learning and CE

Courses, webinars and certificate programs for this skill, with current CE/CME status. Available credit varies by profession.

Looking for a different starting point? The danatech Compass suggests one from your role, setting and what you’re working on. Try the danatech Compass
Sources and scope
  1. ADA Professional Practice Committee. 6. Glycemic Goals, Hypoglycemia, and Hyperglycemic Crises: Standards of Care in Diabetes—2026. Diabetes Care 2026;49(Suppl 1).
  2. ADA Professional Practice Committee. 7. Diabetes Technology: Standards of Care in Diabetes—2026. Diabetes Care 2026;49(Suppl 1).
  3. danatech Diabetes Technology Key Focus Areas framework, revised 2026.

For educational use. Not clinical advice; does not replace clinical judgment, scope of practice, institutional policy or manufacturer instructions.

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DISCLAIMERS: 

This site and its services do not constitute the practice of medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always talk to your diabetes care and education specialist or health care provider for diagnosis and treatment, including your specific medical needs. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem or condition, please contact a qualified health care professional immediately. To find a diabetes care and education specialist near you, visit the ADCES finder tool.

ADCES and danatech curate product specifics and periodically review them for accuracy and relevance. As a result, the information may or may not be the most recent. We recommend visiting the manufacturer's website for the latest details if you have any questions.


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