ACCU-CHEK Advantage Blood Glucose Meter Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I've inserted the diabetes test strip correctly?

A blood drop symbol will begin flashing above the test strip icon on the meter's display when the test strip is inserted correctly.

How do I obtain a drop of blood?

Warm fingers by washing with warm, soapy water. Rinse and dry completely. Warm fingers increase blood flow.
Let your arm hang down at your side briefly to increase blood flow to fingertips.
Grasp finger just below the joint closest to the fingertip and "milk" or massage gently toward tip of finger, then squeeze for three seconds.
Use the ACCU-CHEK Softclix lancet device prepared according to instructions. Refer to your ACCU-CHEK Softclix User's Guide for additional information.

How do I best apply a drop of blood to the test strip?

You may pick up the meter, turn the meter, or move the meter to the edge of a table to make it easier to touch the curved target area of the test strip.

With test strip inserted in meter, briefly touch drop of blood to the curved edge of test strip.
Be sure the yellow window is completely filled with blood.

If any yellow color is still visible after blood has been applied, a second drop of blood can be applied to edge of same strip within 15 seconds of the first drop. If more than 15 seconds have passed, the test result may be erroneous and the test strip should be discarded and the test repeated.

How do I know if I have applied enough blood to the strip?

The test strip has been adequately dosed if the entire yellow window is filled with blood.

How do I clean my blood glucose meter and how often?

The ACCU-CHEK Advantage blood glucose meter does not require any internal cleaning.

If the outside of the meter is dirty, you may clean it by wiping with a soft cloth that has been slightly dampened with 70% isopropyl alcohol or a solution of one part bleach and nine parts water.

Do not get moisture into the code key slot or in the test strip opening.

What are glucose control tests?

A glucose control test using ACCU-CHEK Comfort Curve Glucose Control Solution makes sure you are doing a test correctly and receiving accurate results.

A test with glucose control solution is done in the exact same manner as a test with blood, except you use control solution on the test strip instead of using a drop of blood.

When should I run a glucose control test?

Before using your meter for the first time
When you open a new vial of test strips.
If you leave the cap off the vial of test strips.
If you drop the meter.
Whenever your result does not agree with the way you feel.
Whenever you want to check the way you are performing your blood sugar test.
If you have repeated a test, and the blood sugar result is still lower or higher than expected.
When you want to check the performance of the meter and test strip.

What happens if I use expired test strips?

Using test strips that are expired can cause your blood test results to be inaccurate. If your test strips have expired, throw them away and begin using a new vial of strips that are not expired.

The expiration date is printed on the vial of test strips.

How should my meter checks compare with lab results?

Because your monitor and lab tests don't measure the same thing, these numbers are likely to vary. Lab tests generally test plasma, but a meter uses whole blood. As a result, even if you take both tests at the exact same time, your meter is likely to show a lower number than the lab results. This is perfectly acceptable, and your doctor will already be factoring this in.

Keep in mind, too, that even a small amount of food or liquid, or performing a fingertip check more than five minutes before or after getting your blood drawn, can change your blood sugar level enough to throw off any comparison.

For help with your ACCU-CHEK Product, please call the ACCU-CHEK Customer Care Service Center at 1-800-858-8072. For meter support, we're here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Software support is available Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-10 p.m. EST.