Glucose Testing in Ambulances
We currently use Accu-chek Performa Meters in our ambulances. Being about 50 miles south of Chicago, we experience E-8 errors due to the low temperatures during the winter months. I have explained to the ambulance team that the meter errors out to prevent them from getting an erroneous result, but they are very unhappy with these meters.
Can you tell me if there are any meters that have an expanded temperature range for testing? The Performa meters are 61-95 degrees F. Any suggestions would be helpful!
Thank you!
Melissa Voss, MS, MLS (ASCP)CM
Point of Care Specialist (AACC)
Point of Care Testing and Preanalytic Coordinator
Laboratory Services
mvoss@rhc.net
Phone: (815) 935-7535 ext. 6758
Fax: (815) 935-7068
Riverside Medical Center
350 N. Wall Street - Kankakee, IL 60901
http://www.RiversideMC.net | http://www.facebook.com/RiversideMC
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Most glucose meters will have the same problem if exposed to extreme temperatures.
The ambulance workers need to understand the conditions and limitations of the testing meters.
They should not leave it in the ambulance when they are not protected.
They might want to keep the meter inside a styrofoam box with a warmed blanket;
or ice pack wrapped in a towel when it is hot outside.
We also have a meter in ambulances. The problem with temperature seemed to be much more of a problem when we had the Lifescan SureStep meters. We used an insulated lunch bag but I think they still had problems. They didn't want yet another 'bag' to carry when responding to a call. I think they ultimately resorted to carving out a space for it inside their larger 'response' bag. We have been using the Abbott PXP meters for about 5 years now and I haven't heard any complaints lately.
Generally speaking, the medics really hate using any 'hospital' type meter in general. Even with a lot of the lock-outs turned off, they would much rather just use a home-use meter, because that is what response teams that are not associated with a hospital, use. So it is a constant battle, and they do not like it.
We are in Mid Missouri and we also have the temp errors in Summer and Winter. We moved away from the "home use" meters because the Ambulance Operators were not able to keep up with QC logs. They use our Inform II hospital meters now. They have QC lockouts with one STAT test available to them. We turned off the wireless for the Ambulance meters to get better battery life. Each base has two meters assigned to them. They are supposed to switch out the meters every 12 hours so one is always charging and one is in the bus on top of the fluid warmer. They leave the busses plugged in when not on a run and the temp is pretty stable. We have told them they have to use the meters in a controlled environment and they are pretty good about getting the patient into the Ambulance before trying to run any tests.