A whole blood control material has been used to assess the analytical performance of non-laboratory staff who use glucose meters in clinical areas. It is prepared from sterile horse blood which is readily available from a commercial source. There are no known infection or disease transmission risks to users. When the material is stabilized by the addition of sodium fluoride less than 3% loss of glucose over 48 h is observed from an initial value of 10 mmol/L. However, we prefer to stipulate that the glucose is measured on the day of receipt. The material has been used successfully with Reflolux IIM meters and B-M sticks (Boehringer Mannheim, UK) for over a year in our hospital.
NHS Procurement Directorate, Department of Health and Social Security, Health Notice NH(Hazard) (87)13. Blood glucose measurements: reliability of results produced in extra-laboratory areas. London: Department of Health and Social Security, 1987.
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ThakerPCradockSCowanMEShawKM. A quality assurance programme for blood glucose measuring meters used in clinical areas. Practical Diabetes1986; 3: 307–9.
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ForestJ-CRousseauFCarrierRHironPGrosselinM. Quality control scheme for blood glucose measured outside the laboratory. Clin Chem1987; 33: 1233–5.
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HamiltonADAllenKRWatersAK. The introduction of a quality assessment scheme for extra-laboratory blood glucose analysis. Diabetic Med1989; 6: 444–7.
