Frequently Asked Questions
|
|
|
|
PRISM User GuideThe PRISM user guide is your one-stop shop for all things PRISM. Click the user guide button to view text and video tutorials that help you get the most out of each of PRISM's innovative features.
|
|
PRISM Graph GuideNeed help deciphering the graphs in the PRISM app? No worries! Click the graph guide button to view in-depth descriptions of how to read each graph.
|
Frequently Asked Questions
|
|
|
The Basics
What is PRISM?
PRISM is an analytics package that helps you succeed in your diabetes journey. It supercharges your Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) data, identifying key patterns in your data and generating opportunities to improve your blood sugar control while working with your care team.
How can PRISM help me better manage my diabetes?
PRISM picks up where your CGM manufacturer’s software leaves off, applying signal processing and artificial intelligence to your unique data stream. Once analyzed it presents opportunities for greater glucose control and private, targeted lessons right on your phone to teach you how to better manage your conditions while working with your care team. Over time the lessons will change as you gain greater confidence managing your diabetes, while providing additional data analytics to guide you on your journey.
What is a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM)? How can I get one?
A Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) replaces painful, inaccurate fingerstick measurements with a small sensor that watches your blood sugar 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There are several different manufacturers and your doctor or diabetes specialist can discuss your options and determine if a CGM is right for you. Once you have a CGM and have gathered enough data, PRISM can boost the information coming from the CGM to help you and your care team better manage your condition.
What does PRISM do that my CGM manufacturer’s software doesn’t do?
Most CGM software provides useful basic statistics, like average daily glucose or the amount of time your glucose stays in a target range. PRISM takes a deeper dive into your data, looking for characteristic patterns related to blood sugar control variations and combines analytics with educational lessons to help you and your care team improve your blood glucose control.
How does PRISM work with my care team?
PRISM integrates with your care team in several ways. First, our advanced analytics can be shared live with your care team in your office right from your phone. As you work through the education lessons, you’ll also have the opportunity to message your care team with data discoveries and to ask them questions via e-mail. Having more accurate and useful information combined with the knowledge and expertise of your care team can significantly improve your blood glucose control over time.
How much does PRISM cost?
You can download PRISM from Google Play at the low price of $1.99! This is a flat fee that gives you access to all of our data analytics and learning modules. The best part is... the app is ad-free! No more paying subscriptions and watching ads, pay for the app once and keep access to our evolving app. Download today!
Will my medical insurance pay for PRISM?
There is a near-infinite variety of insurance programs around the world, so it’s hard to say specifically if your personal insurance will cover the cost of PRISM. Speak to your care team and/or insurance provider for specific information regarding your unique case.
PRISM is an analytics package that helps you succeed in your diabetes journey. It supercharges your Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) data, identifying key patterns in your data and generating opportunities to improve your blood sugar control while working with your care team.
How can PRISM help me better manage my diabetes?
PRISM picks up where your CGM manufacturer’s software leaves off, applying signal processing and artificial intelligence to your unique data stream. Once analyzed it presents opportunities for greater glucose control and private, targeted lessons right on your phone to teach you how to better manage your conditions while working with your care team. Over time the lessons will change as you gain greater confidence managing your diabetes, while providing additional data analytics to guide you on your journey.
What is a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM)? How can I get one?
A Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) replaces painful, inaccurate fingerstick measurements with a small sensor that watches your blood sugar 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There are several different manufacturers and your doctor or diabetes specialist can discuss your options and determine if a CGM is right for you. Once you have a CGM and have gathered enough data, PRISM can boost the information coming from the CGM to help you and your care team better manage your condition.
What does PRISM do that my CGM manufacturer’s software doesn’t do?
Most CGM software provides useful basic statistics, like average daily glucose or the amount of time your glucose stays in a target range. PRISM takes a deeper dive into your data, looking for characteristic patterns related to blood sugar control variations and combines analytics with educational lessons to help you and your care team improve your blood glucose control.
How does PRISM work with my care team?
PRISM integrates with your care team in several ways. First, our advanced analytics can be shared live with your care team in your office right from your phone. As you work through the education lessons, you’ll also have the opportunity to message your care team with data discoveries and to ask them questions via e-mail. Having more accurate and useful information combined with the knowledge and expertise of your care team can significantly improve your blood glucose control over time.
How much does PRISM cost?
You can download PRISM from Google Play at the low price of $1.99! This is a flat fee that gives you access to all of our data analytics and learning modules. The best part is... the app is ad-free! No more paying subscriptions and watching ads, pay for the app once and keep access to our evolving app. Download today!
Will my medical insurance pay for PRISM?
There is a near-infinite variety of insurance programs around the world, so it’s hard to say specifically if your personal insurance will cover the cost of PRISM. Speak to your care team and/or insurance provider for specific information regarding your unique case.
System and Data Security
Where can I get PRISM?
PRISM is available from Google Play, the same as your other smartphone software. Search for “PRISM for Diabetes” and look for the PRISM app logo before installation. You can also click here to open our Google Play page.
What are the minimum requirements for PRISM?
To use PRISM, you need three things:
For PRISM itself, please see the next FAQ section.
What CGMs and phone operating systems can PRISM use?
Phone Operating System information
My CGM and/or phone operating system isn’t supported by PRISM yet. What’s the plan to support it?
We’re constantly building additional support for PRISM as we become aware of the need. Please let us know more about what you’d like to see us build next by taking our anonymous survey here.
Does PRISM keep a copy of my data in a central server somewhere?
Absolutely not! PRISM uses edge-based analytics and does all the necessary computing right on your phone. Your data always remains on your phone and in your possession while using PRISM.
Can others see my PRISM data or results without my permission?
No. All PRISM results remain on your phone and in your possession. You’re free (and encouraged!) to share results with your care team, but the flow of information is always in your control.
Is there anything special I need to do to secure my PRISM data and/or results?
Because PRISM uses edge analytics and results always stay on your phone and in your possession, there’s no unique account or password information you need to keep track of for it. You’ll want to keep your phone secure, and there’s lots of ways to do that. See your device manufacturer for more information about your unique phone’s security options.
How can I share my PRISM results with my care team?
It’s easy! During your next visit, just call up PRISM on your phone and show them your most recent results. Along the way, PRISM will enable you to send an e-mail message to your care team about recent developments, so you are all working from the same strong analytics foundation.
PRISM is available from Google Play, the same as your other smartphone software. Search for “PRISM for Diabetes” and look for the PRISM app logo before installation. You can also click here to open our Google Play page.
What are the minimum requirements for PRISM?
To use PRISM, you need three things:
- A compatible Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) with data download capability.
- A smartphone compatible with your CGM.
- A copy of the PRISM software installed on your phone.
For PRISM itself, please see the next FAQ section.
What CGMs and phone operating systems can PRISM use?
Phone Operating System information
- On Android, you need to have version 5.0 (Lollipop) or higher.
- On iOS development is ongoing, join our mailing list to be notified with the latest updates.
- Abbott Laboratories Freestyle Libre™ CGM system
- Others are being integrated as we go, so please let us know which CGM you would like us to support next by taking our anonymous survey here.
My CGM and/or phone operating system isn’t supported by PRISM yet. What’s the plan to support it?
We’re constantly building additional support for PRISM as we become aware of the need. Please let us know more about what you’d like to see us build next by taking our anonymous survey here.
Does PRISM keep a copy of my data in a central server somewhere?
Absolutely not! PRISM uses edge-based analytics and does all the necessary computing right on your phone. Your data always remains on your phone and in your possession while using PRISM.
Can others see my PRISM data or results without my permission?
No. All PRISM results remain on your phone and in your possession. You’re free (and encouraged!) to share results with your care team, but the flow of information is always in your control.
Is there anything special I need to do to secure my PRISM data and/or results?
Because PRISM uses edge analytics and results always stay on your phone and in your possession, there’s no unique account or password information you need to keep track of for it. You’ll want to keep your phone secure, and there’s lots of ways to do that. See your device manufacturer for more information about your unique phone’s security options.
How can I share my PRISM results with my care team?
It’s easy! During your next visit, just call up PRISM on your phone and show them your most recent results. Along the way, PRISM will enable you to send an e-mail message to your care team about recent developments, so you are all working from the same strong analytics foundation.
Using PRISM
How do I get my CGM data into PRISM for analysis?
That depends on which CGM you are using. Here’s some quick links to training videos for each phone and CGM combination:
What’s in the Control Panel and why do I need to provide this information?
PRISM is really smart, but not psychic! It needs to know things like your waking and sleeping times, typical meal times, etc. so that it can interpret your unique CGM signal and explain the results in plain English to you. Just like PRISM, the Control Panel data always stays on your phone and in your possession.
How often should I review PRISM analytics?
A reasonable review interval and a simple way to remember to check your PRISM results is to use the app every time you change CGM sensors. This will ensure that there’s enough new data to make the review worth your time, although you’re welcome to check with PRISM as often as you like too. Change is hard and takes time, so don’t put too much pressure on yourself by staring at the PRISM displays. You can do this!
How do I specify my care team’s contact information? What if I change my care team?
You enter the contact information for your care team in the Control Panel screen, which you can access from the main menu at any time. Likewise, you can change the preferred contact e-mail for your care team at any time from that same screen.
If you’d prefer NOT to use this feature, or to allow PRISM to access your e-mail, simply leave this field blank in the Control Panel.
What is the PRISM journal? How do I make a journal entry? How do I review them?
Many studies have shown that writing things down places concepts more firmly in our mind and makes it easier to remember the changes we may want to make. The PRISM journal empowers this process by enabling you to capture your thoughts as you review analytic results and experience the educational materials. Keeping a journal lets you see your progress over time too and enables you to make more deliberate changes along the way to better health.
You’ll be prompted to make a journal entry at certain moments while using PRISM. You can also make additional journal entries and review previous entries at any time by selecting “Journal” from PRISM’s main menu.
I loved the music in the video modules! Who made it?
The music in the video modules was made specifically for our app by Annie Mason! She used loops with Logic and their loop library. You can get in touch with her through her email: [email protected].
That depends on which CGM you are using. Here’s some quick links to training videos for each phone and CGM combination:
What’s in the Control Panel and why do I need to provide this information?
PRISM is really smart, but not psychic! It needs to know things like your waking and sleeping times, typical meal times, etc. so that it can interpret your unique CGM signal and explain the results in plain English to you. Just like PRISM, the Control Panel data always stays on your phone and in your possession.
How often should I review PRISM analytics?
A reasonable review interval and a simple way to remember to check your PRISM results is to use the app every time you change CGM sensors. This will ensure that there’s enough new data to make the review worth your time, although you’re welcome to check with PRISM as often as you like too. Change is hard and takes time, so don’t put too much pressure on yourself by staring at the PRISM displays. You can do this!
How do I specify my care team’s contact information? What if I change my care team?
You enter the contact information for your care team in the Control Panel screen, which you can access from the main menu at any time. Likewise, you can change the preferred contact e-mail for your care team at any time from that same screen.
If you’d prefer NOT to use this feature, or to allow PRISM to access your e-mail, simply leave this field blank in the Control Panel.
What is the PRISM journal? How do I make a journal entry? How do I review them?
Many studies have shown that writing things down places concepts more firmly in our mind and makes it easier to remember the changes we may want to make. The PRISM journal empowers this process by enabling you to capture your thoughts as you review analytic results and experience the educational materials. Keeping a journal lets you see your progress over time too and enables you to make more deliberate changes along the way to better health.
You’ll be prompted to make a journal entry at certain moments while using PRISM. You can also make additional journal entries and review previous entries at any time by selecting “Journal” from PRISM’s main menu.
I loved the music in the video modules! Who made it?
The music in the video modules was made specifically for our app by Annie Mason! She used loops with Logic and their loop library. You can get in touch with her through her email: [email protected].
Analytics
Where can I find out more about the medical papers and articles behind PRISM?
In every educational module you will see an option to receive the content as text. At the end of every text article, you’ll find hyperlinks to the technical papers and articles specific to that module and process within PRISM. You can also download a PDF with full citations here.
I don’t have a CGM, but I’d still like to learn from PRISM. Is there a way to do that?
Without a CGM PRISM won’t be able to guide you to a specific educational module. However, you can still review the educational module content by selecting “Modules” from the main menu.
How much CGM data is needed for PRISM to operate?
To enable every feature within PRISM you need to have collected at least 3 months of CGM data. A1c projection requires at least this much data to produce a reasonable estimate.
PRISM recommended a module for me to review, but I’m not sure why?
After showing you a recommended module, PRISM will take you to examples of the issues you just learned about in your own CGM data. The most recent examples of the issues described in the educational module will be displayed. You can then review the other graphs and displays PRISM provides to see additional examples.
PRISM recommended the same module for me to review more than once, but I’m not sure why?
PRISM treats each review of your CGM data as a unique event. There’s no central server, and PRISM only looks at the CGM data you allow it to see on your phone. If you are seeing the same module twice or more, then the issue it detected in the previous analysis is still present in the new one. Change can be hard, and it’s OK if it takes time to achieve your goals!
What is A1c and why does it matter?
Per the Mayo Clinic, “Specifically, the A1C test measures what percentage of hemoglobin proteins in your blood are coated with sugar (glycated). Hemoglobin proteins in red blood cells transport oxygen. The higher your A1C level is, the poorer your blood sugar control and the higher your risk of diabetes complications.”
A1c has been found in many studies to be a powerful leading indicator of future diabetes complications. The higher your A1c, the more likely it is that you could experience significant complications like blindness, heart disease, organ failure, or tissue damage. Please review the educational module “The Importance of A1c” for additional details.
What are slope rates and why do they matter when managing my diabetes?
Slope rates indicate the rate of change of your blood sugar throughout the day. The lower the slope rate, the better you have your glucose under control.
Fast rises in glucose level can be caused by several things, including poor diet (like high sugar and carbohydrate consumption), stress, certain types of illness and imbalances in your medications. A few fast rises are not a big concern, but if this is happening frequently you should consult your care team.
Fast falls in glucose level can also be caused by several things, such as heavy exertion, stress, illness, or imbalances with your medications. Fast falls can lead to unexpected low glucose events and are a serious concern. Consult your care team immediately if you are experiencing significant numbers of low blood sugar events.
How does PRISM divide up times of day, and how can I change them?
PRISM divides up the times of day based on your entries in the Control Panel. It uses these blocks of time to explain important features of your blood glucose signal and help you identify approximately when they are happening. You can change the times of day PRISM uses whenever you’d like in the Control Panel.
What is an overshoot peak? Why are overshoot peaks undesirable?
An overshoot peak happens when blood glucose switches from trending up to trending down outside the targeted range of glucose you specified in the Control Panel. When your blood sugar is under control, these peaks should happen within the boundaries of the targeted range. A few of these overshoot peaks are completely normal, but if they are happening most or all of the time then you should speak with your care team about adjustments you can make to diet, exercise and medications to help. You can learn more about this in the “Roller Coaster” educational module.
What is an undershoot trough? Why are undershoot troughs dangerous?
An undershoot trough happens when blood glucose switches from trending down to trending up outside the targeted range of glucose you specified in the Control Panel. When your blood sugar is under control, these peaks should happen within the boundaries of the targeted range. When they are happening below your targeted range you are at significant risk of hypoglycemia-related events. You should speak to your care team immediately about undershoot troughs in your data. You can learn more about this in the “Roller Coaster” educational module.
Why does PRISM evaluate my blood sugar when sleeping? What, if anything, can I do about it?
Your overnight glucose signal sets the stage for everything you will experience during your waking hours regarding blood glucose control. Often high overnight glucose or overnight glucose trends with significant slope rates are an indication of diet, sleep or medication issues. Speak to your care team about your overnight glucose trend if PRISM detects issues. You can learn more about this in the “Sleep Impact” module.
In every educational module you will see an option to receive the content as text. At the end of every text article, you’ll find hyperlinks to the technical papers and articles specific to that module and process within PRISM. You can also download a PDF with full citations here.
I don’t have a CGM, but I’d still like to learn from PRISM. Is there a way to do that?
Without a CGM PRISM won’t be able to guide you to a specific educational module. However, you can still review the educational module content by selecting “Modules” from the main menu.
How much CGM data is needed for PRISM to operate?
To enable every feature within PRISM you need to have collected at least 3 months of CGM data. A1c projection requires at least this much data to produce a reasonable estimate.
PRISM recommended a module for me to review, but I’m not sure why?
After showing you a recommended module, PRISM will take you to examples of the issues you just learned about in your own CGM data. The most recent examples of the issues described in the educational module will be displayed. You can then review the other graphs and displays PRISM provides to see additional examples.
PRISM recommended the same module for me to review more than once, but I’m not sure why?
PRISM treats each review of your CGM data as a unique event. There’s no central server, and PRISM only looks at the CGM data you allow it to see on your phone. If you are seeing the same module twice or more, then the issue it detected in the previous analysis is still present in the new one. Change can be hard, and it’s OK if it takes time to achieve your goals!
What is A1c and why does it matter?
Per the Mayo Clinic, “Specifically, the A1C test measures what percentage of hemoglobin proteins in your blood are coated with sugar (glycated). Hemoglobin proteins in red blood cells transport oxygen. The higher your A1C level is, the poorer your blood sugar control and the higher your risk of diabetes complications.”
A1c has been found in many studies to be a powerful leading indicator of future diabetes complications. The higher your A1c, the more likely it is that you could experience significant complications like blindness, heart disease, organ failure, or tissue damage. Please review the educational module “The Importance of A1c” for additional details.
What are slope rates and why do they matter when managing my diabetes?
Slope rates indicate the rate of change of your blood sugar throughout the day. The lower the slope rate, the better you have your glucose under control.
Fast rises in glucose level can be caused by several things, including poor diet (like high sugar and carbohydrate consumption), stress, certain types of illness and imbalances in your medications. A few fast rises are not a big concern, but if this is happening frequently you should consult your care team.
Fast falls in glucose level can also be caused by several things, such as heavy exertion, stress, illness, or imbalances with your medications. Fast falls can lead to unexpected low glucose events and are a serious concern. Consult your care team immediately if you are experiencing significant numbers of low blood sugar events.
How does PRISM divide up times of day, and how can I change them?
PRISM divides up the times of day based on your entries in the Control Panel. It uses these blocks of time to explain important features of your blood glucose signal and help you identify approximately when they are happening. You can change the times of day PRISM uses whenever you’d like in the Control Panel.
What is an overshoot peak? Why are overshoot peaks undesirable?
An overshoot peak happens when blood glucose switches from trending up to trending down outside the targeted range of glucose you specified in the Control Panel. When your blood sugar is under control, these peaks should happen within the boundaries of the targeted range. A few of these overshoot peaks are completely normal, but if they are happening most or all of the time then you should speak with your care team about adjustments you can make to diet, exercise and medications to help. You can learn more about this in the “Roller Coaster” educational module.
What is an undershoot trough? Why are undershoot troughs dangerous?
An undershoot trough happens when blood glucose switches from trending down to trending up outside the targeted range of glucose you specified in the Control Panel. When your blood sugar is under control, these peaks should happen within the boundaries of the targeted range. When they are happening below your targeted range you are at significant risk of hypoglycemia-related events. You should speak to your care team immediately about undershoot troughs in your data. You can learn more about this in the “Roller Coaster” educational module.
Why does PRISM evaluate my blood sugar when sleeping? What, if anything, can I do about it?
Your overnight glucose signal sets the stage for everything you will experience during your waking hours regarding blood glucose control. Often high overnight glucose or overnight glucose trends with significant slope rates are an indication of diet, sleep or medication issues. Speak to your care team about your overnight glucose trend if PRISM detects issues. You can learn more about this in the “Sleep Impact” module.
Getting in Touch
I’ve got an analytic idea for PRISM, or an idea for a future video / podcast / article. How can I get in touch?
We’d love to hear from you! Please reach to us via the Contact section of this website, or you can e-mail us at [email protected].
Could someone from the PRISM team come speak at my diabetes support group or technical conference?
If we can fit it into our schedule we’d be happy to speak to your group. Please reach out to us via the Contact section of this website, or you can e-mail us at [email protected] – some speaking fees may apply.
I love Bobby from the videos! Where can I get related merchandise?
We love Bobby too! Stay tuned for a “Shop” function on our website coming soon. If there’s something specific you’d like to see, please reach out to us via the Contact section of this website, or you can e-mail us at [email protected].
I’d love to become a part of the PRISM team. Are you hiring?
If we have any open positions, they will be listed in the 'About Us' section of this website. If there’s nothing open right now but you’d like us to keep you in mind for new opportunities, please send your resume to [email protected].
We’d love to hear from you! Please reach to us via the Contact section of this website, or you can e-mail us at [email protected].
Could someone from the PRISM team come speak at my diabetes support group or technical conference?
If we can fit it into our schedule we’d be happy to speak to your group. Please reach out to us via the Contact section of this website, or you can e-mail us at [email protected] – some speaking fees may apply.
I love Bobby from the videos! Where can I get related merchandise?
We love Bobby too! Stay tuned for a “Shop” function on our website coming soon. If there’s something specific you’d like to see, please reach out to us via the Contact section of this website, or you can e-mail us at [email protected].
I’d love to become a part of the PRISM team. Are you hiring?
If we have any open positions, they will be listed in the 'About Us' section of this website. If there’s nothing open right now but you’d like us to keep you in mind for new opportunities, please send your resume to [email protected].
Business Opportunities
I’d like to see PRISM grow and support even more diabetic people. Are you taking on new investors?
To date PRISM development has been completely self-funded because we’re from the midwestern US and we just don’t do vaporware! We are planning an initial external investment round in late 2022 / early 2023. If you’re interested in becoming an investor in PRISM, please contact us at [email protected] and we’ll include you in those communications when we launch that round.
I’m a health care provider and would like to support my diabetic patients via PRISM. Can you help us get lots of users up and running quickly?
Yes, we can do that! Let’s discuss the goals of your practice, how many users you would like to add, and how we can help you be successful with PRISM. Reach out to us at [email protected] and we’ll get the ball rolling!
I’m a CGM manufacturer and would like to integrate PRISM technology into our next product. How should I get in touch?
Our intellectual property would be a great fit to boost the capability of your in-house CGM software. The best way to start that conversation is via [email protected] so we can put the right agreements in place to work together quickly.
I’m a hospital group that would like to create a branded version of PRISM with our own customizations. Can you do that for us?
We certainly can! We can either create a fully branded version of PRISM for your own use, or we can collaborate with your in-house teams to integrate PRISM into your other product offerings. The best way to start that conversation is via [email protected] so we can put the right agreements in place to work together quickly.
To date PRISM development has been completely self-funded because we’re from the midwestern US and we just don’t do vaporware! We are planning an initial external investment round in late 2022 / early 2023. If you’re interested in becoming an investor in PRISM, please contact us at [email protected] and we’ll include you in those communications when we launch that round.
I’m a health care provider and would like to support my diabetic patients via PRISM. Can you help us get lots of users up and running quickly?
Yes, we can do that! Let’s discuss the goals of your practice, how many users you would like to add, and how we can help you be successful with PRISM. Reach out to us at [email protected] and we’ll get the ball rolling!
I’m a CGM manufacturer and would like to integrate PRISM technology into our next product. How should I get in touch?
Our intellectual property would be a great fit to boost the capability of your in-house CGM software. The best way to start that conversation is via [email protected] so we can put the right agreements in place to work together quickly.
I’m a hospital group that would like to create a branded version of PRISM with our own customizations. Can you do that for us?
We certainly can! We can either create a fully branded version of PRISM for your own use, or we can collaborate with your in-house teams to integrate PRISM into your other product offerings. The best way to start that conversation is via [email protected] so we can put the right agreements in place to work together quickly.
Get Connected with PRISM
|
