Diabetes data assimilation takes place within the electronic health records offered by Epic, following integration by Abbott.
In the realm of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices, two major players, Abbott and Dexcom, are vying for dominance beyond the Type 1 diabetes market. One of the key recent developments that have given Abbott a competitive edge is its integration with Epic, the leading U.S. provider of electronic health record (EHR) software.
This integration allows over 575,000 U.S. healthcare providers using Epic to access patients' glucose data seamlessly within their clinical workflows. This enhancement not only improves provider efficiency but also fosters better patient-provider collaboration and care management. By embedding LibreView data into one of the largest EHR platforms, Abbott strengthens usability and clinician adoption, potentially increasing its market share and attractiveness to healthcare systems.
Compared to Dexcom, which historically has emphasized standalone CGM systems and automated insulin delivery integrations, Abbott’s direct EHR integration constitutes a competitive differentiator. It aligns Abbott with the growing trend toward interconnected healthcare IT ecosystems, where data accessibility within EHRs is critical for scalable chronic disease management.
While Dexcom remains a leader in integrated insulin pump systems and CGM accuracy, Abbott’s Epic partnership foundations could redefine how diabetes management data is operationalized in clinical settings, potentially shifting provider preferences and increasing Libre's adoption.
Abbott's broader AI-driven strategy, incorporating continuous device integration (closed-loop therapy, predictive analytics) alongside EHR embedding, positions it to define the digital diabetes management market by 2030. This holistic approach, supported by substantial investment and a strategic vision to grow FreeStyle Libre sales to $10 billion annually by 2028, intensifies competitive pressure on Dexcom by addressing healthcare providers' demand for streamlined, AI-enabled care workflows.
The integration will connect Abbott's data management software to Epic's EHR systems, making it easier for patients to collaborate with their providers and cutting the time healthcare professionals spend finding glucose data. Abbott aims to expand the integrated model to "other medical devices and connected care platforms" in the future.
In the first quarter of this year, Abbott reported CGM sales of $1.7 billion, representing a 18.3% year-over-year growth on a reported basis. With ongoing initiatives to launch over-the-counter devices with generative AI capabilities and efforts to connect sensors to insulin pumps in the CGM market, the competition is expected to heat up further.
References: 1. Abbott's FreeStyle Libre CGM System Now Integrated With Epic EHR 2. Abbott’s AI-Driven Digital Diabetes Management Strategy 3. The Future of Diabetes Care: Interconnected and Data-Driven
- The integration of Abbott's FreeStyle Libre CGM System with Epic EHR, as reported in the first reference, offers over 575,000 U.S. healthcare providers seamless access to patients' glucose data within their clinical workflows, improving efficiency and fostering better patient-provider collaboration.
- This direct EHR integration, unique to Abbott compared to Dexcom, constitutes a competitive advantage and aligns Abbott with the trend toward interconnected healthcare IT ecosystems, as highlighted in the second reference.
- By embedding LibreView data into EHR platforms, Abbott strengthens usability and clinician adoption, potentially increasing its market share and attractiveness to healthcare systems, as stated in the first reference.
- Dexcom, while a leader in integrated insulin pump systems and CGM accuracy, may find its market position challenged by Abbott's strategic moves, as outlined in the second reference.
- Abbott's broader AI-driven strategy, inclusive of continuous device integration and EHR embedding, positions it to define the digital diabetes management market by 2030, as asserted in the second reference.
- In the realm of health-and-wellness and fitness-and-exercise, data accessibility within EHRs, like that enabled by Abbott's EHR partnership, is crucial for scalable chronic disease management, as suggested in the third reference.
- The integration of Abbott's data management software to Epic's EHR systems, mentioned in the first reference, aims to facilitate easier patient-provider collaboration and reduce the time healthcare professionals spend finding glucose data.
- With ongoing initiatives for over-the-counter devices with generative AI capabilities and efforts to connect sensors to insulin pumps in the CGM market, competition between Abbott and Dexcom is expected to intensify further, as anticipated in the third reference.
