[Diabetes-talk] Prodigy Blood Placement

[Ed Bryant]

Hi Folks,



The Following information regards placement of blood on the test strip and ideas for getting enough blood out of a finger etc.  This is from an article I composed several years back, and most of the test strips at that time were flat.  That is a hanging drop of blood went onto the strip.  You did not touch the end of the test strip.  

      I know some folks still have difficulty in getting enough blood from their finger, and getting it placed correctly.  

     If an insufficient amount of blood is placed on the test strip, the meter should indicate "not enough blood."  There are several possible explanations for this frustrating occurrence:

 

A.  The initial drop of blood was too small:  Some folks don't bleed enough.  They can get more blood by holding hands below waist level for about 15 seconds, shaking them, and/or washing/soaking hands in warm water for a few minutes before the test.  Warm water stimulates the flow of blood to the fingers.  A slightly longer lancet, with deeper penetration, may help some.  "Milking the finger" (squeezing it gently) can also help, as can wrapping a doubled rubber band between the first and second joint of the finger to be lanced.  This will help cause the finger to become engorged with blood.  Hold the rubber band down with the thumb while lancing.  Remove the band as soon as you lance.

 

B.    There may have been enough blood, but it was placed onto the wrong part of the test strip:  Some folks bleed fast, and may lose the blood off the finger before they're ready.  By the time they get the finger to the test strip; the blood has fallen, in the wrong place.  A fast bleeder needs to work closer to the test strip.  Mike correctly said, "the strips really aren't that hard to insert. Just remember that the little slot that vacuums up the blood by capillary action is on the top edge of the far end of the strips."                

 

C.   This pertains to the flat strips.  Some enthusiastic people, placing the blood on the strip, press down too hard and push the blood out of its correct position, squishing it onto the wrong part of the strip:  It is best to very gently deposit the drop of blood onto the test strip.   



Regards,

Ed Bryant