Quality Standards for Diabetes Care Toolkit

Blood glucose monitoring

NICE guidelines on type 2 diabetes
www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg87/chapter/guidance#glucose-control-levels suggest that, with respect to glucose monitoring in people with type 2 (criterion 5), unless a patient has been enrolled in a service for less than a year, the following should be assessed at least annually:

self-monitoring skills

the quality and appropriate frequency of testing

the use made of the results obtained

the impact on quality of life

the continued benefit

the equipment used.

The MIMS (NZ) Ltd Everybody health information website provides the following advice for home glucose monitoring which could be used to assess patient knowledge and technique:

Record your results in a diabetes diary (your meter may also store your results for reference). This will make it easier for you to see trends over time. You can also use your diary as a motivational tool. Putting a tick in your diary for the days you achieve your exercise or food goals can be very encouraging over time.

Prick your fingers on the side of your finger (towards the tip) rather than on the pad (or tip) of your finger. This will be more comfortable for you, especially if you use a keyboard.

If you drop your hand down close to the floor after pricking it then wait for a few moments, the blood will rush into your hand. When you then squeeze out the blood you will get a much larger sample. You may find that by doing this you may also be able to reduce the depth gauge on your finger-pricker, which will mean your finger prick will be less deep. This will make your testing more comfortable.

Make sure your hands are clean before testing. If you have been handling something sweet before testing, the residue of it on your fingers may get into your test and make it falsely high.

You will get a much better sized drop of blood if your hands are warm before testing.