Features of an effective bedside blood glucose monitoring program include:
(1) someone in charge, preferably from the laboratory
(2) written procedures
(3) training and monitoring of operators
(4) standardization of testing on a single platform
(5) control of meters so that all are properly working and all receive proper maintenance and cleaning
(6) control of supplies (none outdated, detection and replacement of defective strips, etc)
(7) performance and recording of quality control suitable for testing frequency
(8) correlation between monitors and laboratory instruments so that all give comparable results within a specified range of variation
(9) participation in a proficiency testing program that involves all operators
(10) a system to track failures/complaints and to implement corrective action
(11) defined criteria for when a laboratory determination of glucose is needed
(12) documentation of weaknesses and biases of the monitor in use, made available to everyone
(13) determine the impact of hematocrit on the blood glucose reading
(14) results recorded into the medical record in a manner that minimizes transcription errors
(15) cost recovery with suitable billing
(16) proper CLIA license
(17) ability to convert results between serum and whole blood
(18) identification of medications that may interfere with results
