BLOOD SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTRY

Title of Document: Ascensia® CONTOUR® Blood Glucose Meter

Q Pulse Reference No:BS/CB/POCT/GLU/4Version NO: 2

Authoriser: Francesca Mills

POCT – ASCENSIA® CONTOUR® BLOOD GLUCOSE METER

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1Purpose of the Procedure

The Ascensia® CONTOUR® Blood Glucose Meter is used to monitor blood glucose levels in neonates.

1.2 Staff

Only healthcare personnel who have been suitably trained may perform a blood glucose test using the Ascensia® CONTOUR®

2. PRINCIPLE OF THE PROCEDURE

When a blood sample is applied to the test strip, the glucose in the blood reacts with the chemicals on the test strip, producing a small electrical current. This current is measured and then a result is displayed by the monitor. The size of the current depends of the amount of glucose in the blood sample.

3. SPECIMEN REQUIREMENTS

Test sample: Whole blood (usually a capillary sample taken from the heel avoiding the posterior aspect).

Sample volume: 0.6μL. NOTE: The meter will beep and the fifteen second countdown will commence when sufficient sample has been applied to the test strip.

4. HEALTH AND SAFETY

All patient samples are a potential infection risk. Follow appropriate procedures (e.g. use gloves). Cover cuts and abrasions on own hands and forearms with water-repellent ‘island’ type plasters. If hands do become contaminated with blood, wash immediately with soap and water.

Used lancets should be disposed of in a sharps bin. Any other used materials should be discarded into clinical waste in accordance with ward/site procedures.

5. EQUIPMENT AND INSTRUMENTATION

Blood lancing device

Ascensia® CONTOUR® Blood Glucose Meter

6. REAGENTS, STANDARDS, CALIBRANTS AND CONTROLS

Ascensia® MICROFILL® Test Strips

Ascensia® CONTOUR® Control Solutions (High and Low)

7. METHOD

7.1 Control Solution Testing

  1. Remove a test strip from the bottle. Tightly close the bottle lid immediately after you have removed the test strip. NOTE: check the expiry and discard date. Make sure the test strip does not appear torn or damaged.
  2. Hold the test strip with the grey end facing up. Insert the grey end into the test strip port on the meter.
  3. The meter will turn on. A test strip with a flashing blood drop will appear letting you know the meter is ready to test.
  4. Gently invert the control bottle to mix. Squeeze a small drop of control solution on a clean nonabsorbent surface. Do not apply control solution to the test strip directly from the bottle.
  5. Immediately touch the tip of the test strip to the drop of control solution. Hold it in the drop until the meter beeps.
  6. After the beep, you will see the meter countdown fifteen seconds until the result is complete and the control test result is displayed.
  7. The meter will automatically recognize and mark √ the control result for you. NOTE: The √ does not indicate the control test result is within the specified range.
  8. Compare your control test result with the Low and High control range values found on the bottom of the test strip box and make a record on the Quality Control Record Sheet for the meter.
  9. Remove and discard the test strip.

7.2 Patient Testing

  1. Wash your hands and dry them completely. Wear nitrile/latex gloves.
  2. Select and prepare the sample site for blood collection.
  3. Remove a test strip from the bottle. Tightly close the bottle lid immediately after you have removed the test strip. NOTE: check the expiry and discard date. Make sure the test strip does not appear torn or damaged.
  4. Hold the test strip with the grey end facing up. Insert the grey end into the test strip port on the meter.
  5. The meter will turn on. A test strip with a flashing blood drop will appear letting you know the meter is ready to test.
  6. Using a suitable blood lancing device, obtain a blood sample.
  7. Immediately touch the tip of the test strip to the drop of blood.
  8. Hold the tip of the test strip in the blood drop until the meter beeps.
  9. After the beep, you will see the meter countdown the fifteen seconds until the test is complete and the result is displayed.
  10. Record the glucose result in notes and include any action taken.
  11. Remove and discard the test strip.

8. QUALITY CONTROL TESTING

Ascensia® MICROFILL® Control Solutions are used to check that the meter and test strips are working properly. Control Solution testing, using both High and Low, must be performed daily.

9. LIMITATIONS OF THE EXAMINATION

The Ascensia® CONTOUR® Blood Glucose Meter should not be used if the patient is severely dehydrated, hypotensive, in hyperglycaemic-hyperosmolar state, in shock or in peripheral shutdown.

Fluoride/oxalate should not be used as a sample preservative if it is to be used on the Ascensia® CONTOUR®

Neonatal use: At glucose levels between 0.6mmol/L and 6.7mmol/L, Ascensia® MICROFILL® Test Strips are not significantly affected by haematocrit levels in the range of 20% to 70%.

NB. The limitations are also provided in each box of test strips.

10. RECORDING AND CALCULATION OF RESULTS

All results are displayed in mmol/L. The analytical range is 0.6 – 33.3mmol/L. A result <0.6mmol/L will be displayed as LO and a result >33.3mmol/L will be displayed as HI.

11. REFERENCERANGES

See local protocols for neonatal blood glucose ranges.

12. REPORTING AND VALIDATION OF RESULTS

IMPORTANT: For pre-term neonates <37 weeks any glucose result that would suggest clinical intervention must be confirmed by sending a venous sample to the laboratory.

ERROR CODES

What you see / What it means / What you should do
E1 / Temperature out of range / Move to an area that is within the operating range for the meter 5 – 45oC
E2 / Test strip has not filled enough / Remove the test strip and retest using a new strip.
E3 / Meter is sensing a used test strip / Remove the test strip and retest using a new strip. Wait until you see the flashing blood drop on the display before adding the blood drop.
E4 / Test strip not inserted correctly / Remove and reinsert the test strip properly
E5 / E6 / Potential software or hardware issue / Remove the test strip and retest using a new strip. If you continue to have problems, contact POCT.
E7 / Wrong test strip / Remove the test strip and retest using Ascensia MICROFILL test strip.

13. REFERENCES

Ascensia® CONTOUR® Blood Glucose Monitoring System User Guide.

Replacement meters, QC Logbooks and batteries can be obtained from POCT ext: 38380.

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