glucometer

[Mulan]

How long are the test strips good for at your hospital once they are opened?

How long are the lo and hi testing liquids good for once opened?

Thanks.

[Ms Kylee]

The strips and QC test liquids are good for 90 days. The strips never last that long though. 3 days at the most.

[Mulan]

The strips and QC test liquids are good for 90 days. The strips never last that long though. 3 days at the most.

Thank you!

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

Each manufacturer labels the bottles with expiration dates (or should). Our problem is getting nurses to LOOK at the dates.

Our lab circulates the units to search/destroy outdated vials, but this is not 100% effective.

[SitcomNurse, BSN, MSN, EdD, RN]

Expired test strips is never a problem in our facility, but go by what the box says....

The Hi/Lo are good for 90 days from date of opening, regardless of what the box says.

[Christie RN2006]

I don't remember if we switch out our hi/low bottles every 30 days or 90 days. It is the charge nurses job to check the bottles every shift and switch them out when needed. Our test strips are all individually sealed.

[WSU_Ally_RN, BSN, RN]

At my hospital, test strips and controls are good for 30 days after being opened, regardless of what the manufacturer says.

[EmmaG, RN]

Regardless of the dates on the bottles, we have to toss everything after 30 days. Rather wasteful, imo.

[Nursebarebari]

They are good for 90 days once they are open. They usually come with that information and directions on how to use them.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

Are you meaning at the hospital or home? Either way, the hospital has an expiration date on their strips. Some facilities require that they are thrown away after a certain period of time (but I have not experienced that at mine), and the same for the glucometers purchased from a pharmacy. In most cases, the instruction booklet or 800 number will provided that information.

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

In our hospital, the strips are good at room temp til the exp date. (They are individually wrapped in blister packs, so no light gets to them.)

Controls are good x 30days after being opened.