Public Education on Home-use Blood Glucose Meters and Test Strips

Public Education on Home-use Blood Glucose Meters and Test Strips

Home-use Blood Glucose Meters and Test Strips

Home-use blood glucose meter is a battery-powered portable in-vitro diagnostic medical device for measuring the concentration of glucose in blood with a blood sample of the user. The test is for patients with diabetes to monitor their blood glucose levels at home.

Owing to differences in the design of blood glucose meters, users should carefully read and understand the instructions for use. Follow the instructions to operate the device and interpret the results.

For most of the home-use glucose monitoring system, clean and dry your hands, insert a disposable test strip into the device, then use a lancet to obtain a small drop of blood from the fingertip and apply it on the test strip for the blood glucose test.

Tips for choosing a home-use blood glucose meter

  1. Consult healthcare professionals before buying a blood glucose meter. Choose a suitable blood glucose meter according to its function, accuracy and ease of operation.
  2. Check if the name and contact information of the local trader are provided on the label of the blood glucose meter for post-market services. Check that all accessories including the warranty card and instructions for use are included.
  3. Make sure the display screen is functioning well.
  4. Make sure the test strips supplied/ procured are compatible with the blood glucose meter.
  5. Apart from the price of the blood glucose meter, also consider the availability and prices of consumables such as test strips, control solution and lancets, etc.
  6. Purchase the glucose monitoring system from reputable suppliers.
  7. The Medical Device Division (MDD) has granted listing approval for the following Home-use Blood Glucose Meters and Test Strips. All the listed devices meet the listing requirements of Medical Device Administrative Control System (MDACS) on safety, quality and performance. Please refer to Listed Home-use Blood Glucose Meters and Test Strips under MDACS for more details.

Points to note on use of home glucose meter

  1. Store and handle the meter and test strips according to manufacturer's instructions. It is important to store test strip vials closed as humidity might affect its performance.
  2. Patients with abnormal physiological conditions such as high bilirubin level, high lipid level, too high or too low haematocrit level, may affect the accuracy of blood glucose measurement. Furthermore, vitamin C and certain drugs may also affect the reading.
  3. In case of doubt, consult healthcare professionals on use of blood glucose meter, especially if you experience symptoms.
  4. User should manage according to the advice of healthcare professional when the meter display indicates abnormal glucose level.
  5. Do quality control checks of your device regularly according to the advice on the instruction for use to ensure that the device is working properly.
  6. For most glucose monitoring system that are designed for use of finger-tip blood sample, readings from other areas of body may not be as correct as fingertip readings. Consult healthcare professionals before sampling blood from sites other than the fingertip.

Home-use blood glucose meter provides a easy way for self-monitoring the blood glucose level. As accuracy of home-use blood glucose devices depends on many factors, users should not totally rely on the test results and ignore the symptoms or importance of regular medical follow-up. As technology advances, there may be new development/breakthroughs in medical devices like blood glucose meters from time to time. Users should be aware of the application, advantage and limitation of a new product/function before use.

Please refer to the following websites for more information: