Comments on: Glucometer Errors http://theemtspot.com/2009/04/16/glucometer-errors/ Medicine Moves Fast ... Keep Up. Tue, 15 May 2012 14:49:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Michael Endres http://theemtspot.com/2009/04/16/glucometer-errors/comment-page-1/#comment-4361 Michael Endres Sun, 05 Dec 2010 07:32:33 +0000 http://theemtspot.com/?p=599#comment-4361 Using alcohol to clean the site can also result in wrong results if the alcohol is not completely dried off and mixed with blood. I prefer to use a cotton ball and saline to give it a good wash (to clean off any sugar etc. from that last chocolate bar.....) and always discard the first drop because it contains too much tissue fluid (same when you squeeze too hard) which can result in wrong readings as well. So the right order would be: - keep finger warm (rubbing, warm towel etc.) - if necessary use saline or alcohol (only if you wait long enough to dry) to clean - cotton ball to wipe it clean and dry - stick it and wipe off first drop with clean cotton ball - wait for second drop, do not squeeze too hard and et voilà perfect result! Using alcohol to clean the site can also result in wrong results if the alcohol is not completely dried off and mixed with blood. I prefer to use a cotton ball and saline to give it a good wash (to clean off any sugar etc. from that last chocolate bar…..) and always discard the first drop because it contains too much tissue fluid (same when you squeeze too hard) which can result in wrong readings as well. So the right order would be:

- keep finger warm (rubbing, warm towel etc.)
- if necessary use saline or alcohol (only if you wait long enough to dry) to clean
- cotton ball to wipe it clean and dry
- stick it and wipe off first drop with clean cotton ball
- wait for second drop, do not squeeze too hard and et voilà perfect result!

]]> By: Steve http://theemtspot.com/2009/04/16/glucometer-errors/comment-page-1/#comment-2219 Steve Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:50:44 +0000 http://theemtspot.com/?p=599#comment-2219 This is a great point to illuminate to EMS folks, however, we must also keep in mind that sometimes the venous draw can in fact provide us necessary measurements. Capillary tests may be severely affected at times due to hypotension which in turn will provide poor perfusion to the accessed site. This may prove vital in a medical / trauma situation (i.e. diabetic becomes hypoglycemic, loses conciousness, and severely wrecks vehicle or falls off ladder, etc.) One other point which is noted many times with newer providers is that in taking post-D50 readings. It is recommended to take the reading from the other arm, not the administered arm. This will allow a full system check to make sure that your levels have in fact gone systemic and just aren't backlogging in your med arm. Great article Steve! This is a great point to illuminate to EMS folks, however, we must also keep in mind that sometimes the venous draw can in fact provide us necessary measurements. Capillary tests may be severely affected at times due to hypotension which in turn will provide poor perfusion to the accessed site. This may prove vital in a medical / trauma situation (i.e. diabetic becomes hypoglycemic, loses conciousness, and severely wrecks vehicle or falls off ladder, etc.)

One other point which is noted many times with newer providers is that in taking post-D50 readings. It is recommended to take the reading from the other arm, not the administered arm. This will allow a full system check to make sure that your levels have in fact gone systemic and just aren’t backlogging in your med arm.

Great article Steve!

]]> By: Scott http://theemtspot.com/2009/04/16/glucometer-errors/comment-page-1/#comment-1756 Scott Wed, 05 Aug 2009 13:57:20 +0000 http://theemtspot.com/?p=599#comment-1756 For us Canadian folk, 17.42mgdl is 0.96mmol Great mini-article. For us Canadian folk, 17.42mgdl is 0.96mmol

Great mini-article.

]]> By: The EMT Spot » Six Techniques To Nail The IV Every Time http://theemtspot.com/2009/04/16/glucometer-errors/comment-page-1/#comment-1741 The EMT Spot » Six Techniques To Nail The IV Every Time Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:30:40 +0000 http://theemtspot.com/?p=599#comment-1741 [...] Glucometer Errors [...] [...] Glucometer Errors [...]

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