A glucometer is a medical device used to measure the concentration of glucose, or sugar, in the blood. This tool is frequently used at home to help individuals manage their blood glucose levels, particularly those with diabetes. Monitoring blood glucose is important for understanding how diet, activity, and medication affect sugar levels, which supports informed decisions about daily care. The accuracy of these readings is important for effective management and to prevent complications. To help verify the accuracy of a glucometer system, a product known as control solution can be used.
Understanding Control Solution
Control solution is a liquid containing a precise, predetermined amount of glucose, formulated by manufacturers to work specifically with their glucometers and test strips. When a drop of control solution is applied to a test strip, it interacts with the chemicals, primarily enzymes, on the strip, similar to how blood would. The glucometer then measures the electrical current generated by this reaction, which it translates into a glucose reading. The primary purpose of using control solution is to confirm that the glucometer and the test strips are functioning correctly as a combined system, ensuring consistent results. Some control solutions are available in different concentrations, such as low, normal, or high glucose levels, to allow for checking accuracy across various ranges.
When to Use Control Solution
Using control solution is a recommended practice to ensure the reliability of your blood glucose monitoring system, and you should perform a test when opening a new box or vial of test strips to confirm their functionality and ensure they haven’t been compromised by storage or manufacturing issues. You should also use control solution if you suspect your glucometer has been damaged, such as after dropping it, or if it has been exposed to extreme temperatures. Another situation warranting a control solution test is when your blood glucose readings seem unusually high or low, or if they do not align with how you are feeling. This can help determine if an unexpected result is due to a meter malfunction or other factors. Additionally, some manufacturers suggest using control solution if you have recently cleaned your meter or replaced its batteries.
Interpreting Control Solution Results
After performing a control solution test, the glucometer will display a reading, just as it would with a blood sample. To interpret this result, you need to compare it to the acceptable range printed on the label of your test strip vial or the control solution bottle. This range represents the expected glucose values for that specific control solution when tested with compatible strips and meters. If your control solution reading falls within this specified range, it indicates that your glucometer and test strips are working accurately together.
If the result is outside the acceptable range, it suggests a potential issue with either the meter or the test strips. In such cases, it is advisable to repeat the control test with a new test strip to rule out a strip-specific error. If the second test also yields an out-of-range result, check the expiration dates of both your test strips and the control solution, as expired products can lead to inaccurate readings. If the problem persists, contacting the glucometer manufacturer’s customer support is a reasonable next step for further guidance or troubleshooting.
Other Factors Affecting Glucometer Accuracy
Beyond control solution tests, several other elements can influence the accuracy of your glucometer readings. Proper storage of test strips is important, as they are sensitive to environmental conditions. Strips should always be kept in their original container, away from extreme heat, cold, or humidity, and the cap should be closed immediately after removing a strip. Test strips also have an expiration date, and using expired strips can lead to inaccurate results.
Hand hygiene is another important factor; hands should be clean and dry before testing to prevent contaminants from affecting the sample. The amount of blood applied to the test strip can also impact accuracy; too little or too much blood may result in an error or an incorrect reading. For some glucometers, proper coding of the meter to match the test strip batch is necessary to ensure accurate calculations. Additionally, variations in environmental temperature outside the meter’s specified operating range can affect results, as can certain medications or physiological conditions like dehydration or anemia.