Monitoring and tightly controlling your blood sugar level
can significantly reduce the risk of complications due to diabetes and provide you with a higher
quality of life.
Knowledge of your blood sugar levels at different times of the day is an essential input into
your diabetes care plan and allows you and your medical team to work out and modify your
plan for medication, diet and exercise.
The heart of the system to monitor your blood sugar is the blood glucose meter and the automatic
lancing device used to obtain your blood sample.
There are many types of glucose meters with varying degrees of sophistication and abilities
to store test results.
Your doctor or nurse will recommend the type best for you.
You will need to be familiar with the manufacturer's instructions for each unit.
This program will provide you with general guidelines that apply to all units.
The equipment you will need to assemble includes:
the glucose testing meter, a packet of test strips,
an automatic lancing device, and facial tissue.
The meter will have a display with blood sugar readings are shown, an on/off power button
and a slot into which the Test Strips are inserted.
In the back of the meter will be a compartment for batteries.
The Automatic Lancing Device has three components: the body with a release button, lancet holder
and cocking device, the removable end cap and a separate short lancet.
The first step is to code the meter to match or calibrate the meter to the reactivity of
the Test Strip.
This is done by following the manufacturer's instructions and matching a number on the
meter's display to a number on the Code Strip or on the test strip package.
Coding is done: whenever a new package of Test Strips is opened
and daily to ensure the meter is coded correctly.
In addition, a control test can be run: if you need to check that the whole system
of the meter and the test strip is working correctly
and to practice your good meter techniques.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions, which usually involves testing a control solution
of sugar that is provided with the meter.
Wash your hands vigorously with soap and warm water.
Rinse and dry thoroughly with a paper towel.
Remove the Test Strip from its individual package.
With the meter off, insert the correct end of the test strip into the test slot of the
meter, according to the manufacturer's instructions.
This usually turns the meter on.
Remove the end-cap from the lancing device.
Insert a short lancet into the lancet holder according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Twist off the protective cap and save it for the disposal of the used lancet.
Replace the end-cap.
The depth of the puncture depends on the end-cap used.
Re-cock the lancing device.
Choose your puncture site.
The sides of the end segment of the finger are the best sites.
Stroke down the finger to push blood toward the puncture site.
Place the end-cap firmly against the chosen puncture site on the side of the fingertip.
The more pressure you use, the deeper the puncture.
Push the lancet release button without moving your finger or the device.
After the puncture, remove the lancing device.
If a drop of blood does not form on its own, stroke down the finger toward the puncture
site without going as far as the site itself.
Hold the tip of the test strip in the drop of blood until the meter tells you the test
strip is filled, usually by beeping.
Remove the test strip from the blood.
Put the device and the strip aside until the reading is complete.
Wipe the puncture site with a clean, dry facial tissue and use the tissue to hold pressure
on the puncture site until the bleeding stops.
Remove the end-cap from the lancing device and remove the used lancet.
Replace the used lancet back into the protective cap by pushing it into the open end of the
cap which is placed on a firm, flat surface like a counter top.
Once the blood sugar reading on the meter is complete, use the tissue to grasp the test
strip and pull it out of the meter.
This usually turns the meter off.
Discard the lancet in its protective cover and the used strip into a glass or puncture-proof
container with a screw top or a "Sharps" Container purchased from your local pharmacy.
Replace the cap on the container.
When the container is full, cap it and discard it into the trash.
Clean the lancing device weekly according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Only use a lancet once.
Do not use the same end-cap on another person.
Teach another person to use the whole system so that you have a backup when you need assistance.