Proper use of Glucometer

Most meters I have used have instructions with them.Usually you activate them by putting the strip in.They then give you a code to check and then show a 'place blood here' symbol of some sort.

The glucometers we use at my facility require you to turn them on before you stick the patient. They have a scanning capability that you must scan the operator's ID, the strips you are going to be using and the patient's ID bracelet before you put the strip in and add the blood. But all glucometers are different so you may find different answers.

You need to review the instructions for the glucometer in use to get the best answer. My personal one requires the strip to be inserted to be "on" and it will go "off" if no sample is given within 60 seconds. The hospital one we use goes "off" in 2 minutes, not one.

Always consult the meter's user manual. Typically, you will want to turn the machine on before lancing the finger. It's a little hard to manipulate a strip and/or meter buttons without disturbing the blood sample. If the little drop gets smeared, then the strip might not want to "suck it up". I teach my patients to turn the machine on, put the strip in, etc, then lance the finger. Depending on the meter, it will give you about 60 seconds to apply the sample.