Keeping Glucometers Clean

[makes needs known]

We have always cleaned our glucometers 1 time a day on 11-7 shift. The new guideline is to clean it after each blood sugar check using a special sani-wipe. Are other facilities doing this too? It makes sense.

[makes needs known]

We are a rehab unit and we are teaching diabetic care. We are showing and encouraging patients to do their own fingersticks,etc. We are trying to get them independent so they can go home. Of course they do not wear gloves and yes they do smear their blood all over the glucometer!!!! I don't have time to teach all the time, there is way to much other stuff that has to be done. The road to perfection is long.

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

If they're preparing to go home, I'm guessing they have their own meter. Is it possible to teach them glucose testing with their own meter? That would likely make more sense anyways, since it's what they'll be using at home. I'm not sure how that would fly as far as scheduled glucose checks, however, as it would not be the official hospital calibrated glucometer or whatever.