Home Glucometer Device:
A device used at home to measure the level of glucose in the blood.
Its Uses:
Diabetic patients use it to monitor and record blood glucose levels, the patient with the doctor can use these readings or recordings for several purposes:
- Adjusting the medication doses in the treatment plan if necessary.
- Identifying frequent rises or decreases in glucose level, knowing when they occur, and finding solutions to it.
- Knowing the impact of a healthy lifestyle (healthy nutrition, sports, moderate sleep, mental health) on changing blood glucose levels.
Components (Tools):
- Blood glucose level reader.
- Single-use needles.
- Slides on which blood drops are applied for examination.
- Some types of devices may be accompanied by slides to measure blood ketone level (type 1 diabetes).
- A wire or connection used to connect the device with computers (used by a doctor, nurse, or diabetes educator) to see what readings have been monitored and recorded in the device.
How to use the device:
The method of use varies from one device to another depending on the company and the device version, but there are some general steps followed for use:
Ensure your hands are clean and washed with soap and water.
Insert the slide into the designated place on the device.
Finger injection for blood collection and analysis.
Place the blood on the analysis slide inserted into the device.
Record the reading shown on the device in the follow-up notebook.
Dispose of the needle and the analysis slide in a specially designated box or put them in a sealed and airtight box as they are biological waste and may contaminate or cause wounds to others when placed in normal trash.
General Guidelines:
Ensure the validity date of the slides:
- It is important to check the validity date of the slide box before you start using it.
- If there is more than one box, start using the older one then the newest, so that one of them does not expire and has not been used.
- The validity of the slides (tapes) lasts from 3 to 6 months from the date of opening, but of course this varies from one company to another, and it is advisable to check the instructions sheet accompanying the device to ensure that.
Battery Low:
In the event of some strange or unexpected readings (such as a low glucose level on the device despite not feeling any fatigue or other symptoms indicating this), it is advisable to check the effectiveness of the battery and try new ones to ensure that the problem is not from the device but due to battery low.
When the “ERROR” word appears:
Sometimes the word "error" or “code error” may appear on the screen, which means there is an error in the device, it usually appears for several reasons, namely:
- The amount of blood is insufficient to determine the glucose measurement.
- The slide was inserted incorrectly.
- The used slide is not suitable for the device, or it is damaged.
- The slide temperature is high (such as in a place exposed to sunlight or left in the car) or very cold (in the refrigerator).
Storage of blood analysis slides:
- Keeping it at normal room temperature.
- Do not put it in the refrigerator, the cold damages the slides.
- Do not expose it to sunlight or moisture, as damages the slides.
- Take it out of the box only when using it, and make sure that the box is closed tightly after taking the slide.
- Do not use the slide if it falls on the ground or spills food or pours liquids on it.