Accuracy - FAQ
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| Factors That Affect Accuracy |
Solutions |
| Test strip problems: |
Throw out damaged or outdated test strips. Store strips in their sealed container; keep them away from heat, direct sunlight, moisture and humidity. Be sure the strips are meant for your specific glucose meter. |
| Extreme temperatures: |
Keep your glucose meter and test strips at room temperature or at the recommended temperatures as stated in your manual. |
| Alcohol, dirt or other substances on your skin: |
Wash your hands and the testing site with warm soap and water before pricking your skin. |
| Monitor problems: |
Fully insert the test strip into the monitor. Replace the monitor batteries as needed. |
| Not enough blood applied to the test strip: |
Apply a generous drop of blood to the test strip or the amount recommended in the meter manual. EasyMax only require 0.6µL. |
| Testing site location: |
If you're using a site other than your fingertip and you think the reading is wrong, test again using blood from a fingertip. Blood samples from alternate sites aren't as accurate as fingertip samples when your blood sugar level is rising or falling quickly. |
Other Factors that affect accuracy:
- A dirty meter.
- If test strips are not compatible with the meter you're using, results may be inaccurate or no result will be obtained. If the wrong strip is used, it may not even fit into the slot or it may fit, but the meter won’t turn on.
- Substances left on your hands. For example, if there is a sugary substance on the finger used for lancing, even if it’s a small amount that can’t be seen, a high blood glucose reading can result.
- Wet fingers. Fluid mixes with blood and can cause an inaccurate reading.
How to Avoid an Inaccurate Blood Glucose Reading
- Before using the meter for the first time and then again every few weeks, check your meter using the control solution. Control solution is only good for three months once opened. Label the control solution bottle with the date you open it. Check the date and shake control solution before using. The value the control solution gives should be in the target range printed on the strips container.
- Make sure strips are not expired. EasyMax test strip vials once opened need to be discarded 90 days after date first opened.
- Select site on one side of the center of a fingertip. Rotate sites for each check.
- Apply gentle pressure to lanced finger to help the drop of blood form on the surface.
- Completely fill the strip target area with blood.
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