This equipment is used for determining the glucose level in the bloodstream. The Glucometer is mainly used in the health care sector and in houses for patients with Diabetes Mellitus.
Glucometer-Purpose
To measure Glucose level in Bloodstream
Blood sugar (glucose) monitoring is a vital piece of a comprehensive management plan.
To maintain the blood glucose within the target range
Indication
Acute stroke
Altered mental status
Known Diabetic patient(Diabetes Mellitus)
Trauma with potential for head/spinal injury
Combative patient
Seizures
Hypoglycemia
The site for sample collection
Less sensitive area is preferable
The site recommended as follows
Fingertip used mostly
Forearms, palm.
When to check
- Before meals
- After 1 or 2 hours of meals
- After Exercise
- Before bed
- Patients under sick condition.
- Whenever the patients think blood sugar falling
Principle
It works under the principle of the electrochemical method.
The electrode strip contains an enzyme electrode called glucose oxidase or glucose dehydrogenase.
Procedures
- Select the site for sampling
- Keep ready with the following materials
- Lancet or 26 gauge needle
- Glucometer and glucose strip for measuring
- A cotton swab and alcohol antiseptic solution
- Gloves for Investigator
- Inform patients about the prick and collection of blood for glucose measurement.
- Massage and Swipe and clean the site with the alcohol swab.
- Wait for the site to dry and open lancet or needle and prick the give compression proximal to sampling distal site.
- Apply the glucose strip and wait for the sampling symbol on the screen of the glucometer.
- Adjust the strip near to the glucose strip and capillary action on the strips, absorb the blood, and close the site with a dry swab.
- After application of the blood wait for 10 to 15 seconds for the result
- The Glucose level of the patient will display on the screen.
- The result of glucose level measured in milligram per deciliter mg/dl
- Normal Range of blood glucose 80 to 120mg/dl (Fasting)
Management and maintenance
Change the battery of the glucometer periodically for a particular duration of time.
Proper documentation of the change of battery help to change before it gets empty.
Temperature can affect the glucose value accuracy, so keep the machine at room temperature.
After the use of the machine/equipment clean it with an alcohol-based antiseptic solution and keep it in the preferred case or cover.