Accuracy of Home Blood Glucose Monitors

Objective To determine the accuracy of five home blood glucose monitors (HBGM) in reference to a standard laboratory reference method. Research Design and Methods The study took place in the laboratory of a 350-bed private acute-care hospital. Subjects were a sample of convenience of 207 diabetic and nondiabetic adult and pediatric patients scheduled for fasting blood work that included a blood glucose test. Venous blood samples were collected for laboratory determination of blood glucose level. A separate sample was collected for testing on two each of five HBGMs: AccuChek II M, Tracer II, ExacTech, Glucometer II with Memory, and One Touch. Results Multiple regression analysis showed that all 10 monitors could be used to predict laboratory blood glucose values. The monitors with the highest predictabilities were One Touch, Tracer II, and AccuChek II M. Consistency between monitors of the same brand was lowest with One Touch. AccuChek II M had the smallest SD between the 2 monitors used in the study. Conclusions HBGM can be used to predict actual laboratory values of blood glucose. However, the controlled environment of the study should be considered and patient education made a high priority when recommending monitors.