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Effect of Ambient Temperature and Humidity on Performance of Blood Glucose Meters
Author(s) -
King J.M.,
Eigenmann C.A.,
Colagiuri S.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
diabetic medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.474
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1464-5491
pISSN - 0742-3071
DOI - 10.1111/j.1464-5491.1995.tb00488.x
Subject(s) - medicine , humidity , venous blood , surgery , cardiology , anesthesia , meteorology , physics
The accuracy of four blood glucose meters (Accutrend, ExacTech Companion, Medisense Companion 2, and Glucometer III) was tested at temperatures ranging from 4 to 44°C (control solutions) and 8°C, 24°C, and 36°C (venous blood) and at humidities of 60 % and 80 %. Low and high temperatures resulted in a number of statistically significant changes in glucose readings with all meters. However, Accutrend, Medisense Companion 2, and Glucometer III were 100% clinically accurate at all temperatures. With the ExacTech Companion, only 70.8 % of control solution and 55.6 % of venous blood results were clinically accurate. The main errors were: (1) cold temperatures lowered the result so that euglycaemic levels erroneously read in the hypoglycaemic range and hyperglycaemic levels gave a better than actual result and (2) hot temperatures increased the result whereby hypoglycaemic levels falsely gave a euglycaemic result. Weather conditions at which blood glucose meters may be operated can affect results and potentially lead to errors in clinical decisions.