Innovative Handheld Computer System Being Tested for Diabetes Control by Emory University's Grady Memorial Hospital

Emory University endocrinologists at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta have become the first in the nation to apply an FDA-approved computerized decision support protocol, the Intelligent Dosing System(TM) (IDS)(TM), to the treatment and management of diabetes. Building on historic dose-and-response data from 190 patients in the Grady Diabetes Clinic, the Intelligent Dosing System promises to provide safer, more effective and economical drug treatment by individualizing medications prescribed for diabetic patients, according to the system's manufacturer, The RxFiles Corporation of Nokomis, Florida. The IDS was originally developed to adjust doses of medications used to prevent transplant rejection, and to manage the treatment of patients who need to take blood thinners. It was approved by the FDA in August 2001.


The study at Grady is the first attempt to see if the IDS can be applied in the management of diabetes, particularly insulin adjustment.

"Diabetes is a leading cause of illness, disability, and death in the United States," said Curtiss Cook, M.D., associate professor of medicine at the Emory University School of Medicine, and one of the first physicians to use the Intelligent Dosing System for treatment of any disease in a clinical setting. "By lowering blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels, however, many of the complications of diabetes can be prevented, and patients can lead a healthier life." This technology, Dr. Cook explained, "should help us take much of the guesswork out of how to adjust diabetes medications, thus allowing us to treat patients more effectively."

The system is based on a hand-held Palm Pilot computer platform, and can also be accessed with Windows or Windows CE Operating Systems. A "next" dose calculator is used in conjunction with a comprehensive database to determine the patient's last dose, current dose and the desired concentration of medication. This can be determined and changed as necessary by the healthcare provider, based upon the unique combination of circumstances presented by the patient's condition, disease progression, co-morbidities, compliance and therapeutic response.

By using a very brief amount of easily gathered patient information, and selecting any surrogate marker (such as blood sugar) that is clearly affected by the drug, this system has proven to be very accurate.

The goal is to use the system to evaluate 200 to 300 patients by May 2003. Expectations and early indications are that the system will prove to be an effective way to reduce medical complications and improve patient care. Nurses are already using the system, and others are waiting to be trained.

The IDS dosing system is actually a suite of three software applications designed for use on a handheld personal digital assistant or computer. The three applications include DoseRx, a "next" dose calculator; InterchangeRx, a calculator that safely switches patients between drugs, from brands to generics, or between drug classes while maintaining the original agent's established therapeutic effect; and Practice PrescribeRx, a graded prescriber training simulator to introduce new drugs, refresh experience with seldom used drugs, and document proficiency among medical professionals.

About The RxFiles Corporation:

Located in Nokomis, Florida, The RxFiles Corporation (TRxF) is a leader in the biotech field in drug dosing, drug development and disease management systems. TRxF's Intelligent Dosing System will ensure safer, more efficient and cost-effective patient care. The RxFiles Corporation was founded in 1998 by John D. Kutzko, Michaeal G. Singer, and John P. McMichael. Further information is available at the company's website, http://www.rxfiles.net, via email from info@rxfiles.net, or by calling (941) 483-3784.

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