Using blood glucose meters. Minimizing errors, maximizing accuracy

Abstract

Blood glucose meters (BGMs) provide fast and generally accurate measurements of the glucose levels of individuals with diabetes. But they aren't foolproof. A number of problems can affect BGM accuracy, including technical faults, user errors, and variations in patient physiology. An erroneous reading could mean that a hypo- or hyperglycemic patient might receive inappropriate therapy or perhaps no therapy at all, with potentially life-threatening consequences. In this article, we provide recommendations to individuals and healthcare providers on ways to minimize erroneous BGM readings. We also offer some troubleshooting tips and itemize the physiologic factors that can impact readings--a potential source of errors that is often overlooked.