TESTING FOR DIABETES The A1c test glucose meter measures the percentage of glycated hemoglobin A proteins. Hemoglobin A is a protein inside red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. When there is glucose in the bloodstream, it can stick (glycate) to the hemoglobin A protein. Once glucose attaches to a hemoglobin protein, it typically remains the entire lifespan of the protein – an average of two to three months. There are several devices used to test HbA1c (hemoglobin A1c) in a doctor’s office or at home. I will discuss the Bayer Contour A1CNow Self-check blood glucose meter. There are three main components of the device: a monitor, a shaker pouch, and a cartridge pouch. The test should be run at room temperature (64°F-77°F) and avoid direct sunlight. Procedures for this device are time sensitive, so read through and follow the steps with the manufactures’ user manual to obtain an accurate reading. In addition, two main steps are detailed in the user manual, these are: Blood Collection and Blood Testing. Before starting, you should verify the lot numbers match on all three components. Ensure your hands are thoroughly washed using hand soap and water for 20-seconds. Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice. For the Blood
Collection step, only open the purple package containing the lancet, the Blood Collector and the Shaker. Use the lancet to stick a clean, sterile finger. Gently touch the Blood Collector to the top of the blood drop. Approximately 1L sample of blood is needed to adequately fill the collector, any excess blood can be removed with a sterile wipe and disposed according to local infection control policies. Firmly insert the Blood Collector into the open end of the Shaker, there should be no gap between the Blood Collector and the Shaker. Do not remove the base of the Shaker. Shake for 5-seconds to mix the blood with the test solution and set aside. For the Blood Testing phase, open the red pouch containing the cartridge. This pouch should only be opened after blood collection and must be used within 2-minutes of opening. Firmly insert the cartridge into the monitor so the cartridge will click into place. The monitor will run through an internal self-test sequence while the display reads “WAIT”. After a few seco