Type 1 student forgot his meter!

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What would you do if you had a student with insulin due and you can't test his blood sugar because he forgot his meter and his parents are an hour away?

Specializes in School nurse.

I have a clinic meter, strips etc. My kiddos haven't forgotten their kits; however I have had their meter fail. Always good to have a backup.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Using ONE meter between MULTIPLE patients is a disaster waiting to happen. How are you QC'ing it? They are not meant as multiple pt devices.

Im an APRN in dialysis units and this is the reason we can't keep glucometers in our units: they are not meant for more than one pt and there is no way to adequately disinfect them.

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Using ONE meter between MULTIPLE patients is a disaster waiting to happen. How are you QC'ing it? They are not meant as multiple pt devices.

Im an APRN in dialysis units and this is the reason we can't keep glucometers in our units: they are not meant for more than one pt and there is no way to adequately disinfect them.

This is not the case. I work at an SNF and it is perfectly fine to use the same glucometer on multiple patients. The glucometer needs to be cleaned with a hospital grade disinfectant wipe and allowed at least a full minute to dry between each patient. The glucometer itself should never be in contact with the patient, the blood only touches the strip. This is the process that we follow and has been approved when the state board visits our facility annually.

It is not reasonable to think that each patient who need BG monitoring in a hospital setting would be issued their own brand new glucometer which would then be disposed of once they were discharged.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.
This is not the case. I work at an SNF and it is perfectly fine to use the same glucometer on multiple patients. The glucometer needs to be cleaned with a hospital grade disinfectant wipe and allowed at least a full minute to dry between each patient. The glucometer itself should never be in contact with the patient, the blood only touches the strip. This is the process that we follow and has been approved when the state board visits our facility annually.

https://www.lifescan.co.uk/sites/default/files/pdf/Ultra_Multipatient_Use_Internet_Content.pdf

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Hmmm.....per OldDude's reference:

"Meter Disinfection Procedure

1. Prepare a fresh (i.e., daily) 10% bleach solution (i.e., make a dilution of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water)or obtain equivalent (0.525% sodium hypochlorite) wipes. Follow manufacturer's instructions for handlingbleach solutions.Caution: Do not use other cleaners or disinfectants (e.g., isopropyl alcohol or hydrogen peroxide) becausethese chemicals may damage the meter.

2. Clean the outside of the meter with a soft cloth dampened with a 10% bleach solution or with the0.525% equivalent sodium hypochlorite wipes.

3. Allow surface to remain wet for approximately 5 to 10 min or as specified by the manufacturer of thedisinfectant.Caution: Do not get fluid inside the meter or test strip port connector. Never immerse the meter or hold itunder running water because this will damage the meter. See the Care and Maintenance section of theOneTouch® Brand User Guide for more information.

4. Wipe the meter dry with a soft cloth.

*This disinfection procedure applies to: OneTouch® Ultra®, OneTouch® Ultra2®, OneTouch® UltraVue®, OneTouch®UltraEasy®, OneTouch® UltraLink®, OneTouch® UltraMini®, OneTouch® Horizon®, OneTouch® Ping®, OneTouch®Select®, OneTouch® UltraSmart®, and OneTouch® Vita®. For other meter types, please see meter-specific instructionson this website and/or meter-specific instructions in the User Guide."

And no of course in hospitals they reuse glucometers but they also have QC controls as well as standardized disinfecting routines.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

If I remember correctly from some time back, test strips have expiration dates. Might be someting you need to check periodically for replacements PRN.

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.
Using ONE meter between MULTIPLE patients is a disaster waiting to happen. How are you QC'ing it? They are not meant as multiple pt devices.

Im an APRN in dialysis units and this is the reason we can't keep glucometers in our units: they are not meant for more than one pt and there is no way to adequately disinfect them.

It's not an everyday that I have to use my spare meter for the students. If they use it, I wipe it down with bleach wipes, sani wipes whatever they're called. They're compliant. I won that battle with the custodial head who wanted NO bleach products and everything green cleaners. Not in my office you don't!

Also - edited to add that I chuck the strips when they get too old. They do expire and I found after using expired strips on my dog that they tend to read high. So check those dates and pitch them!!

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Specializes in kids.
Using ONE meter between MULTIPLE patients is a disaster waiting to happen. How are you QC'ing it? They are not meant as multiple pt devices.

Im an APRN in dialysis units and this is the reason we can't keep glucometers in our units: they are not meant for more than one pt and there is no way to adequately disinfect them.

I also work LTC and follow the protocol there, wipe and disinfect. It is used very sporadicially.

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Specializes in School nursing.
Hmmm.....per OldDude's reference:

"Meter Disinfection Procedure

1. Prepare a fresh (i.e., daily) 10% bleach solution (i.e., make a dilution of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water)or obtain equivalent (0.525% sodium hypochlorite) wipes. Follow manufacturer's instructions for handlingbleach solutions.Caution: Do not use other cleaners or disinfectants (e.g., isopropyl alcohol or hydrogen peroxide) becausethese chemicals may damage the meter.

2. Clean the outside of the meter with a soft cloth dampened with a 10% bleach solution or with the0.525% equivalent sodium hypochlorite wipes.

3. Allow surface to remain wet for approximately 5 to 10 min or as specified by the manufacturer of thedisinfectant.Caution: Do not get fluid inside the meter or test strip port connector. Never immerse the meter or hold itunder running water because this will damage the meter. See the Care and Maintenance section of theOneTouch® Brand User Guide for more information.

4. Wipe the meter dry with a soft cloth.

*This disinfection procedure applies to: OneTouch® Ultra®, OneTouch® Ultra2®, OneTouch® UltraVue®, OneTouch®UltraEasy®, OneTouch® UltraLink®, OneTouch® UltraMini®, OneTouch® Horizon®, OneTouch® Ping®, OneTouch®Select®, OneTouch® UltraSmart®, and OneTouch® Vita®. For other meter types, please see meter-specific instructionson this website and/or meter-specific instructions in the User Guide."

And no of course in hospitals they reuse glucometers but they also have QC controls as well as standardized disinfecting routines.

Protocols in a school nursing office can happen. I wipe my meter with bleach wipes and I QC it regularly when I do other checks on other devices I have in my office. I carry the materials to do so. My back-up meter usually gets used

If a student forgets a meter and a parent is at work meaning the meter is probably at least an hour away from getting to me (at least), I can't tell them to not eat/etc and wait for the meter. It is rare, but it happens.

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