When you check your blood glucose (blood sugar), a lot of people assume that the meter will always give you an accurate result. However, a meter's accuracy depends upon a lot of factors. Below are a few of the factors that you are able to control:

Storage

Blood glucose strips are temperature sensitive and fragile, and must be stored under specific conditions¹.

(Read your strip’s product package insert to know more).

Action:

• Avoid storing the strip vial in the kitchen or bathroom as it is humid, and avoid storing it in a vehicle for a long time as it does get quite hot.

Coding

All the Accu-Chek meters in Malaysia have moved to the latest non-coding system. This is to prevent wrong coding which can affect blood glucose result¹.

Action:

• If your meter has a code key slot, ensure a black colored code key is inserted and leave it inserted till meter is disposed (This code key can be found in your nearest pharmacies).
• The black code key acts as a universal code which is the same to the non-coding system.

Preparations of Hands

Residue of unseen sugar substance on the skin from the food/ drink/ lotions will falsely increase your blood glucose level. Vice versa, water/ alcohol used to clean the hands can falsely decrease the blood glucose level¹.

Action:

• Ensure that your hands are cleaned and dried thoroughly before finger pricking².

Obtaining Blood Drop

Squeezing the pricked site forcefully to obtain a drop of blood can falsely decrease your blood glucose level as the fluid from the cells (interstitial fluid) will dilute the blood².

Action:

Ensure a sufficient blood sample by²:

• Use warm water to wash your hands to increase blood circulation.
• Use an optimal depth during finger pricking.
• Gently massage your finger toward the fingertip to encourage a sufficient blood drop to form.