Clinical Implementation of Continuous Glucose Monitoring for Hospitalized Patients: A Position Statement of the Korean Diabetes Association Digital Health Committee

Abstract

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) has emerged as a promising approach for improving glycemic management in hospitalized individuals, with accumulating evidence supporting its role in reducing hypoglycemia and improving glycemic control. However, the inpatient setting presents unique challenges, including hemodynamic instability, surgical interventions, radiologic procedures, and potential drug interference, which may affect CGM accuracy and safety. International consensus guidelines on the use of CGM in hospitalized patients have not yet been established, and data from Korean inpatient settings are even more limited, highlighting the need for locally relevant evidence synthesis and guideline development. Importantly, the clinical benefits of CGM are not consistently observed when used in isolation. Evidence indicates that CGM is most effective when integrated with CGMbased insulin-titration protocols and electronic medical record systems and supported by dedicated glycemic management teams. In this position statement, the Korean Diabetes Association Digital Health Committee reviews the current evidence on the efficacy and accuracy of CGM in hospitalized patients and highlights key considerations for its safe implementation, including patient selection, hybrid monitoring strategies, and procedural safety. We propose practical recommendations and an operational framework to support the safe and effective use of CGM in inpatient care, thereby establishing a foundation for its systematic adoption in Korea and informing institutional implementation and future policy development.