User manual
The purpose of this manual is to provide you with
the information you need to achieve accurate results.
Together, we can work in partnership to ensure the best
possible quality of care for those patients with diabetes.
RECOMMENDED
BLOOD GLUCOSE
MONITORING PROTOCOL
1. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and hospital policy
(standard operating procedure) on testing at all times
2. Only a healthcare professional who has received appropriate
training may carry out blood glucose monitoring at ward level
1,2
3.
Each
healthcare professional
takes responsibility for ensuring the
quality of all monitoring carried out by her/him, using the
following
procedures:
a) Quality control tests must be carried out:
- according to manufacturer’s instructions and hospital policy
- when starting a new pack of Roche test strips
- after changing the meter’s batteries
- after unexpected results, to check technique
- each day the meter is used for patient tests
b) Only one pack of Roche test strips should
be opened at any one time
c) The appropriate pack of Roche test strips must be
stored with the meter for which it has been calibrated
d) The meter must be recalibrated each time a pack
of test strips is renewed
e) All quality control tests must be recorded
in the quality control log book
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4. A healthcare professional for each ward/department/site should be
designated to ensure that the equipment is correctly maintained
5. Any sample reading below 2.8 mmol/L or above 20 mmol/L,
or which is not in keeping with the clinical picture, should be
verified by sending a venous specimen of blood to the laboratory
for random blood glucose testing
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. Please refer to your own Trust
Blood Glucose Monitoring Policy for additional guidance.
This protocol should be followed in conjunction with the advice
and guidance contained in NMC.
1. NMC (Code of Professional Conduct, 1992)
2. NMC (Scope for Professional Practice, 1992)
3. NMC (Standards for Records & Record Keeping, 1992)
4. NMC (Exercising Accountability, 1992)
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