Factors Affecting Accuracy of Results from Blood Glucose Monitoring

• from prolonged exposure to light or air?

• from exposure to excessive humidity?

• from exposure of temperature extremes (too hot, freezing)?

• from exposure to bleach or other chemicals?

• have anemia or polycythemia?

• severely dehydrated?

• take high doses of medications that could affect the testing method?

• in a hyperglycemic, hyperosmolar state, with or without ketosis?

• use fluoride as a preservative?

• collected from an unwashed finger contaminated with sugar?

• the same (whole blood, plasma, etc) for the monitoring?

• grossly lipemic?

• that are very high or low verified on a chemistry analyzer?

• been taken with the patient at a high altitude?

• had regular competency testing?

• performed regular proficiency testing ?

• used a control according to the manufacturer's instructions.?

• give a direct numerical reading rather than a color change?

• been protected from interference from electromagnetic devices?

• been properly maintained and cleaned?

• been fitted with working batteries?

• been properly stored and protected from damage?