Accu-Chek Guide Blood Glucose Test Strips

Manufactured by Roche Diagnostics, a recognized name in medical technology, these strips are ideal for people living with diabetes - providing results that facilitate effective management of the condition.

When it comes to home glucose testing, accuracy and convenience are paramount.

Each strip is designed with a wider dosing area for easy application of blood.

The principle of operation of these test strips lies in the biochemistry embedded within them. When you apply a small blood sample onto the yellow window of the strip, it reacts with an enzyme called glucose dehydrogenase on the strip. This causes an electric current to flow through the strip which is measured by the meter and converted into your blood glucose level.

• Spill-resistant SmartPack vial:The unique design helps prevent unused strips from spilling out and makes it easy to remove just one strip at a time.

• Large dosing area:

• Re-dosing capability:If you miss applying enough blood on your first attempt, you can add more within 10 seconds.

• No coding required:Avoids potential errors due to miscoding.

1. Wash your hands thoroughly. Dry them completely before proceeding.

2. The yellow window should face up.

3. Prick your finger using the lancing device for blood sample.

4. Avoid smearing or scraping.

5. Wait for the meter to display your glucose reading.

• Store at a temperature between 2°C and 30°C.

• Keep away from direct sunlight and heat.

• Do not refrigerate or freeze.

• Always store in their original vial, and ensure it's tightly closed after every use.

• Use within 6 months after opening the vial.

• The expiration date on the vial. Expired strips can give inaccurate results.

• If there is any visible damage to the strips or if they've been exposed to moisture, dust or dirt, discard them.

• If you're applying enough blood sample onto the test strip.

The Importance of Accurate Blood Glucose Testing

Accurate blood glucose testing helps individuals with diabetes make informed decisions regarding their diet, physical activity and medication. It assists in tightly regulating blood sugar levels - essential in preventing long-term complications associated with diabetes such as heart disease, kidney damage or vision loss.

They are an integral part of the Accu-Chek system, which is a widely used tool in the management of diabetes. These test strips are specially created to help individuals with diabetes keep track of their blood glucose levels - a crucial part of managing and controlling the condition.

Design and Functionality

They feature advanced technology that ensures less wasted strips, providing accurate results even with very small blood samples. The strips come in a spill-resistant SmartPack vial, making it easier to remove one strip at a time.

These strips employ a unique technology known as FAD-GDH (Flavin adenine dinucleotide-glucose dehydrogenase) which is less affected by oxygen, galactose, maltose or fructose when compared to other methods, thereby minimizing interference from these substances.

Accuracy and Precision

They measure the amount of glucose in your blood sample by producing a small electrical charge that varies depending on the glucose level.

Compatibility and Availability

They are widely available at pharmacies across the country and can also be ordered online from various retailers.

Their precision, ease of use, wide availability, and commitment to environmental sustainability make them an excellent choice for individuals managing their blood glucose levels at home.

1. Preparation: Start by washing and drying your hands thoroughly to prevent any contamination that could interfere with your test results.

2. Insert Test StripBe careful not to touch the end of the strip where the blood is applied (the yellow area). Insert it into the meter in the direction indicated by arrows on both meter and strip until it stops.

3. Prepare Lancing Device: Load a new lancet into your lancing device following its instruction manual. Choose a depth setting on your lancing device that allows you to get a good droplet size without causing unnecessary discomfort.

4. Lance and Collect Blood: Use your lancing device on clean skin at side of fingertip or other approved site to draw blood sample.

5. Apply Blood to Test Strip: With the square end of the test strip still in the meter, gently touch its yellow edge to blood droplet so it is drawn into strip by capillary action.

6. Read Results: The meter will count down from five and then display your glucose level on its screen.

Proper storage of test strips is crucial as exposure to extreme environmental conditions can lead to inaccurate results. Hence, they should be stored in their original container at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and humidity.

As part of its sustainability strategy, Roche strives to minimize its environmental footprint throughout the lifecycle of its products, including Accu-Chek devices and test strips.

Remember that regular testing and accurate results are key factors in managing diabetes effectively.

Incorrect storage can lead to inaccurate readings, negatively affecting the effective management of diabetes. Below are some tips on how to correctly store your test strips.

Store in Original Container

The vial is specially designed to protect the strips from damage or contamination by moisture and exposure to air. After taking a strip for use, make sure that you immediately close the container tightly.

Keep Away From Heat Sources and Humidity

Do not expose your test strips to extreme temperatures or high humidity levels as these conditions can affect the accuracy of results. Avoid storing them in hot areas like direct sunlight, near radiators, or inside your car on a hot day. Also, avoid storing them in damp places such as bathrooms or laundry rooms where they could be exposed to steam or moisture.

Do Not Store In The Refrigerator or Freezer

While it may seem like a good idea to keep your test strips cool, storing them in the refrigerator or freezer is not recommended because of potential exposure to condensation when taken out for testing.

Check Expiry Date

Test strips have an expiry date indicated on their container and should not be used after this date. The performance of expired test strips cannot be guaranteed and may provide inaccurate readings.

Avoid Touching the Strips with Dirty Hands

It's crucial not only to maintain clean hands but also avoid touching more than one strip at a time when removing from the container. This can help prevent potential contamination that could affect readings.

The Importance of Accurate Blood Glucose Testing

Accurate blood glucose testing is an essential component in the management of diabetes. It forms a crucial part of the daily routine for individuals with this condition.

The primary reason blood glucose testing is important lies in its utility for monitoring and controlling blood sugar levels. Maintaining these levels within a specified target range helps to prevent complications associated with diabetes, such as nerve damage, kidney disease, eye problems, and heart disease.

Understanding your blood glucose levels also aids in making informed decisions about food intake, physical activity, and medication dosage.

• If your blood sugar level is high before a meal, you might choose to eat foods with a lower glycemic index or increase your insulin dose (if you use insulin).

• If it’s low before exercising, you could decide to have a snack to prevent hypoglycemia.

They deliver high accuracy results which can guide users to make appropriate decisions based on their current health condition.

Further, regular and accurate blood glucose testing can show whether your diabetes management plan is working or if adjustments are needed. By consistently tracking your blood sugar readings over time, you can identify patterns and trends that might require changes in your treatment plan.

For example: - If your blood sugar is consistently high in the mornings (a phenomenon known as dawn phenomenon), it might mean that your body needs more insulin overnight. - On the other hand, if you frequently experience hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) after exercising, it may mean that you need to adjust when and what you eat before physical activity or discuss with your healthcare provider about adjusting your medication.

Lastly, accurate blood glucose testing is crucial for preventing both short- and long-term complications from diabetes. Hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia are two immediate dangers that can be monitored and mitigated with accurate testing. Over time, high blood sugar levels can lead to more serious complications like cardiovascular diseases and kidney damage.

Therefore, while managing diabetes might require effort and diligence, the importance of accurate blood glucose testing cannot be neglected. It is a vital part of diabetes care that allows individuals to live healthier, safer lives.

The Importance of Accurate Blood Glucose Testing

When it comes to managing diabetes, accurate blood glucose testing is crucial. It allows individuals to monitor their glucose levels effectively and make necessary adjustments to their lifestyle or treatment plan.

In managing diabetes, precision cannot be overemphasized.

1. Effective Diabetes Management: Accurate blood sugar readings enable individuals to understand how food, physical activity, and medication are affecting their blood sugar levels.

2. Prevention of Hypoglycemia and Hyperglycemia: Regular and precise monitoring of blood glucose can help prevent occurrences of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). Both conditions can lead to serious health complications if not addressed promptly.

3. Aids in Medication Adjustment: Routine accurate testing allows healthcare professionals to determine whether an adjustment in medication or insulin dosage is required.

4. Improves Quality of Life: When individuals accurately monitor their blood glucose, they are more capable of maintaining their sugar at optimal levels, reducing the risk of long-term complications such as heart disease, kidney problems, nerve damage, and eye issues.

5. Allows Personalized Treatment Plans: Precise testing aids in designing personalized treatment plans for individuals living with diabetes. Each individual's body responds differently to foods or medications; hence blood glucose monitoring is a vital tool for personalizing treatments.

They are designed with advanced technology that ensures less wasted strips - even if you miss the first drop, you can still apply more within a 10-second timeframe without compromising accuracy.

Additionally, these strips have been crafted with user convenience in mind.

It empowers you to take control of your health, allowing for a better quality of life despite having diabetes.