Chapter 3: Risks And Benefits; Risks - Dexcom G6 User Manual

Chapter 3
Get Started:
Risks and Benefits
When using any medical device, there are risks and benefits. In this chapter, you'll learn what they are.

3.1 Risks

The risks with using G6 are:
• Not getting your alarm/alerts
• Using G6 to make treatment decisions when you shouldn't
• Sensor insertion issues
This section covers each of those risks in detail.
Follow system instructions. If you don't, you could have a severe low or high glucose event.
Not Getting Alarm/Alerts
If you aren't getting your alarm/alerts, you could have severe low or high glucose without knowing it. Check
your display device:
• Battery charged: If the display device battery is dead, you won't get readings or alarm/alerts.
• App on: Keep the app on so you get readings or alarm/alerts.
• Alerts on: Leave the alert function on to get alarm/alerts.
• Volume up: Keep the volume loud enough to hear your alarm/alerts.
• Speaker and vibrations work: If the speaker or vibrations aren't working, you won't hear or feel your
alarm/alerts.
• In range: Keep your display device no more than 20 feet from your transmitter, with no obstacles between
them. They have to be that close to communicate. If they aren't in range, you won't get readings or
alarm/alerts.
• No System errors: If you get a system error -— such as No Readings, Sensor Error, or Signal Loss -— you
won't get readings or alarm/alerts.
• During warmup and after session ends: You won't get alarm/alerts or readings during the 2-hour warmup
or after a sensor session ends.
See Troubleshooting (Chapter 14), recommended settings
smart device is silenced/muted (Appendix I) for more information.
Using G6 for Treatment Decisions
You can use your G6 to treat for a low or dose for a high in all but these few situations:
• No number, no arrow, no CGM treatment decision: If you have a reading and a trend arrow, you can use
those to make a treatment decision. Otherwise use your meter.
• Don't wait –— calibrate: If you've calibrated immediately when prompted, your G6 is accurate and you can
use it to make a treatment decision. Otherwise use your meter until you calibrate your G6.
• When in doubt, get your meter out: If you feel like your glucose is low or high but your G6 number is within
your target range, verify with your meter. Likewise, if you care for someone using the G6, watch how they
act. If their symptoms don't match the G6, use the meter.
• Use your G6 for treatment decisions, not your Followers: Dexcom Share allows you to share your sensor
glucose information from your smart device to your Followers'. The main risk with Share is
misunderstanding its purpose. The information on your display device is the most current — it comes
straight from your transmitter — so only use yours for treatment decisions. There can be technical issues
and delays in sharing information. Followers can reach out and support you, but don't rely on them or their
information to manage your diabetes for you.
Some users found accuracy between different sensors varied significantly. When you insert each sensor,
pay attention to its accuracy before deciding to use it for treatment decisions.
For more information on how to make treatment decisions using your G6, see Chapter 11. For more
information on Share, see Chapter 12.
LBL014003 Rev 001 Dexcom G6 User Guide
(Chapter 5), and notifications that sound while
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