User Manual

Checking Your Blood Glucose
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7
When to perform a control solution test
You
should perform a control solution test:
• When you suspect that your meter or test strips are not work-
ing properly
• When you think your test results are not accurate or if your
test results are not consistent with how you feel
• When you drop or damage your PDM or expose it to liquids
• When your healthcare provider advises you to do so
Check that the meter and test strips are working
A control solution test follows the same procedure as a blood
glucose reading, except that you use a sample of control solution
instead of a drop of blood. (See “Performing a Blood Glucose
Reading” later in this chapter.)
When you perform a control solution test, if the reading is within
the control solution acceptable range, the meter is working
properly.
Control solution expiration date
FreeStyle® control solution is good for 3 months after
opening
the bottle, or until the expiration date printed on the label,
whichever comes first. Count forward 3 months from the date
you open a new bottle of control solution. This is your discard
date. Write this date on the side of the control solution bottle. For
example, if you open the control solution on January 15, count
forward 3 months to April 15. This is the discard date to record
on the bottle, as well as the date to discard it and begin using a
new bottle.
Ensure accurate control solution results
• Replace the cap on the control solution bottle immedia
tely
after using it.
• Do not add water or any liquid to control solution.
• Control solution tests are specified to be accurate only when
performed between 59° and 104° F (15° and 40° C).
• The control solution test results should fall within the range
printed on the test strip vial label.
Use only FreeStyle® control solution with the
System. Other brands of control solution may pro-
duce inaccurate results with this System.
Do not use control solution past the expiration
date or you may get inaccurate results.
Results from FreeStyle® control solution tests do
not reflect your blood glucose level.