The precision and accuracy of blood glucose meters in Prapokklao Hospital.

Abstract

Objective : To evaluate the precision and accuracy of Accu-Chek® Advantage blood glucometers.

Study design : A cross-sectional analytical study.

Materials and methods : 40 samples of lithium heparinized whole blood collecting at OPD service room of Clinical Pathology Department were analysed by 9 blood glucometers compared to from the standard laboratory method,automated chemistry analyzer BECKMAN COULTER SYNCHRON LX®i725.The coefficient of variation (CV) and ANOVA test were analysed to determine the precision. Correlation (r), mean difference and 95 percent Confidence Interval (CI) were analysed to determine the accuracy.

Results : There were no significant differences between mean glucose levels analyzed by each glucometers. The mean CV was 1.99 percent. There was good correlation between blood glucose levels analyzed by glucometers and plasma glucose levels analyzed by standard method (r=0.99). The mean glucometer blood glucose was 118.6 ± 57.5 mg/dL and the mean standard plasma glucose was 129.4 ± 65.3 mg/dL. The mean difference was 10.83 mg/dL (95%CI =7.63-14.04 mg/dL). 97.5 percent of the individual glucometer blood glucose met the criteria of ISO 15197.

Conclusion : All Accu-Chek® Advantage blood glucometers had good precision and acceptable accuracy. Although their results were lower than standard laboratory method, regarding awareness of errors from the users,the glucometers may be clinically useful.