Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose Meter: Is Your Glucose Meter Accurate?

Blood glucose monitoring provides immediate feedback on the effect of daily activities such as taking medication, exercise or eating on blood glucose levels.A home blood glucose meter's results are considered accurate if they falls within ±20% of lab results.Such meters are calibrated to use whole blood to measure glucose, whereas lab equipment uses only the plasma portion.To maintain accuracy, results from a meter should be compared to those of a laboratory at least once a year.Diabetes educators should have thorough knowledge of each meter and its accuracy so that he or she can properly educate diabetic patients.