Accuracy In Blood Glucose Monitoring
In 2013, the International Organisation for Standardization published revised quality standards for blood glucose meters in order to improve accuracy and consistency of results. Following the transition period, the UK adopted this standard as EN ISO 15197:2015.
ISO 15197 has four significant improvements on the previous standard .
- Increased accuracy for glucose meter systems, in particular for glucose values equal to or greater than 5.5 mmol/L
- Manufacturers of glucose meter systems must ensure their technology enables accuracy to improve from ±20% to ±15%
- The current standard covers 99% of results, as opposed to 95% under the old one
- For the first time, the standard provides formal acceptance criteria for accuracy as regards testing by patients as well as assessment of potential interfering substances
What does ±15% mean in practice? For example, when a laboratory test would say 6.0 mmol/L, a blood glucose meter that meets the ISO standard could show anywhere between 5.1 mmol/L and 7.0 mmols/L and still be called accurate.
Choosing A More Accurate Glucose Meter
Accurate blood glucose measurement is a vital tool to manage diabetes and provide critical guidance for your doctor. This means its crucial to understand the factors that can affect your blood glucose levels and your blood glucose meter. Although testing your blood glucose meters accuracy is the only way to confirm its up to par, choosing a glucose meter from a reputable provider can help you achieve more accurate readings. An efficient and reliable blood glucose monitor is the best way to ensure you get the results you need to assess how well your diabetes is being controlled and make adjustments that can benefit you.
On Call Express Diabetic Testing Meter
On call express diabetic testing meters are reliable and fast, easy to use. You can get the results of the test within 4 to 5 seconds. They promise less pain, where all it needs is just a tiny 0.4µL sample size of blood. It is a straight forward and compatible process. The glucose meter is compact, portable and handy.
This pocket sized meter is all there to help in checking the concentration of the blood in your body, easily. As it doesnt contain any other devices, you need to buy the lancet and the strips required selectively and carefully as the wrong or faulty ones may give you inaccurate and inconsistent results.
The On Call Express Blood Glucose Monitoring System, at a reasonable price, provides the user friendly features for easier diabetes management. It takes a smaller sample than One Touch Ultra 2 or Aviva Accu-Chek. For further support and details, you can always call the manufacturers at any time 24/7, if you have or find any problem regarding the tests or the glucometer.
The test strip ejector it has, handles the cleaning without a hand all by itself. The smart and powerful data management of the readings noted after every test, is compatible with the On Call AppLink Bluetooth Adaptor and the On Call Anywhere Diabetes Manager.
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What Else Can Be Done To Ensure The Most Accurate Reading
There are some basic things you can do that will help you understand and control the differences between meter results.
- Wash and dry your hands before you test. One study showed blood sugar results went from 80 mg/dl to 275 mg/dl just by handling a peeled apple!
- Keep your testing supplies stored at room temperature to keep them the most accurate.
- Note that your blood sugar may be changing rapidly after you eat, after you exercise, and after you take your medications.
- Stay well hydrated!
Improve your glucose meter accuracy by up to +/- 15% with the Pops Rebel device. And if you still have questions about your glucose monitor or are looking to upgrade to the newest versionReach out to us todaywe would be happy to help!
Dss Precision Xtra Blood Glucose Meter Kit
Precision Xtra blood glucose and ketone monitoring system is a simple testing meter with the extra assurance and control. It is simple in design, fast in delivering the result, and can be used for women diagnosed with gestational diabetes. It just requires a sample of 0.6µL of blood for the test.
The kit includes the meter, instruction manual, a lancing device, 10 lancets, carrying case, battery which is already installed into the meter, an alternate site testing cap. You need to buy the strips separately at the nearby drug store.
The meter is portable and handy in use, but easy to read the readings. It has three buttons for easy results and navigation. It can store 450 results with the date and time with 7,14,30 day averaging. You can also download the results into your computer.
For the test, All you need to do is to carefully open the test strip and insert it into the meter. There you go! The meter will turn on automatically. Now, you just need to give your finger a little pressure on the end of the strip and let the blood flow on it.
When enough blood occupies the strip, the meter beeps, giving you an indication to withdraw your finger. And within seconds, the accurate readings will be up. Thereafter, you need to take out the strip, and the device gets turned off automatically.
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Fora Test Ngo Voice Bluetooth Blood Glucose Meter
In the end, I have the FORA Test NGO Voice Bluetooth Blood Glucose Meter.
As you can see in the name, it comes with Bluetooth connectivity. As a result, you get audible results with volume control in English or Spanish.
Along with that, it comes with LCD backlight, 4 alarm settings, 450 test memories with date and time.
In a nutshell
Overall, this one is a pretty great option for those people with eyesight. However, you should know that the voice feature lacks some features. But as long as it comes to ease of use, it would make your job pretty easy. Also, you will find the test strips on Floras website.
General Accuracy And Variance Criteria
Blood glucose test results are used by people with diabetes to make critical decisions about their treatment therefore, it is important that the results are accurate so that nutritional and drug dosing errors are better avoided, explains the FDAs guidance document.
For any glucose meter seeking FDA-approval, studies should demonstrate that 95 percent of all blood sugar level results are within 15 to 20 percent of the blood lab value.
The acceptable 5 percent of results that are greater than a 20 percent variance should be explained in detail by the manufacturer to justify why the errors occurred. Reasons might include an extremely large number of tests or patients using the device incorrectly by not washing their hands before testing, etc.
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Accu Chek Aviva Plus Meter
Easy to handle and extremely accurate, the Accu Chek Aviva Plus is an exceptional glucose meter. In fact, the Accu Chek Aviva Plus Meter is so spot-on with its levels, it has won awards because of its accuracy. The meter also allows you to download test results to your computer. This feature is great for those who want to keep track of their blood sugar levels over a long period of time and identify trends. While this meter is a little pricey, it is a great option for those who need a new meter that produces consistent results day in and day out.
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Significance Of This Study
What is already known about this subject?
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Tight glycemic control is an essential prerequisite for people suffering from diabetes mellitus to avoid dangerous metabolic states .
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Clinical value of blood glucose monitoring systems is associated with measurement accuracy.
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Studies within recent years have shown that there is a considerable number of CE-labeled BGMS on the market which do not fulfill ISO requirements reliably.
What are the new findings?
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Although only current-generation BGMS were tested, more than 20% did not meet ISO 15197 accuracy criteria with their tested reagent system lot.
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Considerable variation in measurement accuracy was found even among BGMS that meet these criteria.
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Regular post-market surveillance of all available BGMS is necessary to allow patients with diabetes and healthcare professionals selecting a BGMS that is best possible for diabetes therapy.
How might these results change the focus of research or clinical practice?
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These results should be taken into account by patients and healthcare professionals when choosing a BGMS for therapy or when making therapy decisions.
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Best Glucose Meter For Non
Tracking the blood glucose level is also important for non-diabetics to improve their overall health. Metene TD-4116 blood glucose monitor kit is an ideal and affordable glucose meter for non-diabetes. It has 4 reminder alarms that could be set every day to remind you to do a test. Also, it has a larger display to show the results more clearly.
Read more about tracking blood sugar for non-diabetics.
What To Look For
If youve used a traditional glucose monitor in the past and are looking for a less painful, more portable option, then a CGM may be a better choice. You may consider the Libre, G6, Guardian Connect, or Eversense based on their features, as well the accuracy and duration of sensor wear.
While insurance and Medicare do cover CGMs, these monitors are more expensive overall. Depending on your insurance, they may offer coverage for one type of CGM but not another. Its important to check these details with your provider ahead of time.
If you dont have insurance, you can check with your doctor or pharmacist for discounts on your CGM and accessories. Its also possible to get coupons directly from the manufacturer to help offset the costs.
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How To Choose An Accurate Meter
Independent testing, like the study done by the Diabetes Technology Society, is helpful to compare the performance of top commercially available glucose meters. This study tested meters and test strips which were independently purchased from stores across the country, and representative of what a consumer would purchase.
After testing the products over 300 times at three different clinical sites, the results showed that over 66% of the top meters on the market today didnt pass the rigorous study.
A surprising number of name brand meters did not pass all studies. Check the list below to see the 12 meters that failed one or more study.
The following devices passed the test and received the Diabetes Technology Societys Seal of Approval:
Who Are They Useful For
CGMs can help people with diabetes monitor and maintain their blood glucose levels. While they do not involve finger pricking, they may be useful for calibrating the device.
Earlobe, breath, and other noninvasive devices may be beneficial for monitoring blood glucose levels, especially in children with the same condition and those who have cystic fibrosis. However, they are not FDA-approved, and some may need further testing to determine their safety and accuracy.
To learn more about diabetes and how to monitor and manage the condition, visit our dedicated hub.
MNT chooses at-home tests that meet the following criteria:
- Budget: MNT chooses products that suit a wide range of budgets.
- FDA approval: MNT chooses products that have been cleared or approved by the FDA.
- Smartphone compatibility:MNT selects products that are easily connected to smart devices and provide regular readings via an app.
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
Below are four blood sugar monitors that do not require finger pricks.
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Best Talking: Prodigy No Coding Blood Glucose Test Strips
Courtesy of Amazon
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No control solution included
If you’re visually impaired, trying to read a glucometer several times a day can feel really frustrating. Fortunately, this monitor can guide you through the testing process and read your results aloud for you. It communicates in four different languagesEnglish, Spanish, French, and Arabic.
Its one of the best glucose monitors in terms of accuracy, so you feel confident in your reading. It doesnt require you to code new test strips each time, either.
This kit includes the Prodigy Autocode blood glucose monitoring system, 100 test strips, an adjustable depth lancing device, 10 twist-top lancets, two batteries, a carrying case, a data logbook, and a user manual. The device itself can store up to 450 readings in its internal memory, and it has a standard USB port that enables you to download your test data to your computer for easier management.
Result Speed: 7 seconds | Included in Kit: 100 test strips, meter, lancing device, lancets, batteries, carrying case
How Accurate Is The Average Fda
When it comes to FDA-approved glucose meters, a meter must meet certain blood glucose meter accuracy standards similar to those set by the International Organization for Standardization , but its important to know that accuracy does not mean an exact measurement.
Every glucose meter and blood glucose monitoring system available for sale in the United States today is approved by the Food and Drug Administration and is required to be within 15 percent of lab value glucose readings 95 percent of the time, and within 20 percent of âlab results 99 percent of the time .
Diathrives meter is within 15 percent of lab value 99 percent of the time!
Take a look at how the blood glucose value on your glucose meter is actually giving you a number within a range rather than an exact number.
To assess the variance in any blood sugar reading of your own, simply multiply the number on your glucose meter by 0.15. Then subtract and add that result to the number on your meter to determine the full range of your actual glucose level.
Example:
211 mg/dL x .15 32
211 â 32 = 179 mg/dL
211 + 32 = 243 mg/dL
Could checking again with the same meter help narrow the results to give more accurate readings? Maybe. But realistically, using two or three strips every time you check your blood sugar is not a practical long-term plan. If youre looking at an extremely high number, checking again might provide a bit more assurance in your calculated correction dose of insulin.
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Care Touch Blood Glucose Monitoring System
The Care Touch Blood Glucose system is the No. 1 best selling blood glucose meter on Amazon. The kit is a great value for $30 you get everything you need to test your blood sugar. The kit includes the Care Touch meter, a lancing device, lancets, test strips and a carrying case. Once you test your blood sugar, you get your results in five seconds and the meter stores up to 300 readings for monitoring over time. If youve never used a meter before, this kit is great to get you started at an affordable price.
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.
How Are These Tests Different
Personal meters measure your blood glucose using a sample from your fingertip , and then analyze the whole blood, including red blood cells and all.
In a lab test performed by clinical staff, the sample is typically drawn from a vein in your arm and processed to remove red blood cells, so only the plasma is tested.
Virtually all home glucose meters factor in the difference of using a whole blood sample while providing a test result that is considered plasma equivalent.
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Best For Data Management: Dario Blood Glucose Monitor Kit
Courtesy of Amazon
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Device connects to phone, no batteries required
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Free app for data tracking
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Emergency hypoglycemia alert pairs with GPS location
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Not compatible with all Android phones
For those who are hyperfocused on analyzing trends in their blood sugar reading data, our experts recommend this iPhone-compatible device from Dario. The smart, pocket-sized meter connects directly to the phone via its charging port so you dont have to deal with any cables or batteries.
All results are automatically recorded in the accompanying app on your phone, which also analyzes your results and makes it easier for you to track diabetes-specific metrics, such as carbohydrate consumption, physical activity, and medication adherence. You can even opt to share this data with your caregivers or family members.
The meter itself is fast and accurate, providing readings in less than six seconds. It also features a built-in emergency hypoglycemia alert paired with your GPS location so you can feel as safe as possible as you self-manage your blood sugar. The kit comes with the glucometer, 25 test strips, 10 lancets, and 10 disposable covers.
Result Speed: 6 seconds| Included in Kit: 25 test strips, lancets, disposable covers
Error Limits And Extreme Outliers
Rankings varied slightly with different tolerances for compliance . Regarding extreme outlier data points, for each of the six BGMs that met the accuracy standard on all three of studies, < 2% of readings were > 20% from the reference value. For the other BGMs, > 2% of readings were > 20% from the reference value, with the exception of LifeScan OneTouch Verio, which had 1.3% of readings > 20% from the reference value.
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