Checking Accu-Chek Compact

To ensure reliable results, you must periodically check the performance of your Accu-Chek Compact. Do this by running a quality control check using Compact Control Solutions.

When should I check my Accu-Chek Compact system?

• When you open a new pack of test strips.
• After you have replaced the batteries.
• If your meter flashes "CTRL", indicating that a quality control test is required.
• After you have cleaned your meter.
• If your blood test does not agree with how you feel.

Running A Quality Control Test

Press the ON/OFF button. The meter turns on and automatically advances a test strip.

Press the SET button. "CTRL" appears in the display (simultaneously with the hand symbol) and is automatically stored along with the result, to flag it in memory as a control test result.

Wait for the hand symbol and the blood drop to flash in the display before you apply control solution.

• Take a bottle of control solution and hold the dropper tip downwards until a hanging drop forms at its end. Gently touch the drop of control solution against the front edge of the test strip near the black notch until the meter beeps and appears in the display.  The meter runs a test, then displays the result and “CTRL”.
• Refer to the table on the label of the vial the drum came in and determine if the value is within the expected range. If the result is outside this range, run another quality control check. If the result of the second test is outside the expected range as well, refer to the “Troubleshooting guide” in Chapter 10 of User Manual.

If you are unable to identify or eliminate the source of the problem, contact our Accu-Chek Customer Careline.

For more information please call our free customer careline on (UK) 0800 701 000 or (Ireland) 1 800 709 600.

Control readings (identified by "CTRL") are not used in statistical calculations.

Cleaning The Meter

If the outside of your meter or the display are dirty, wipe them off with a slightly dampened cloth. If blood has entered the test strip guide, or if the message "OFF" is displayed, clean the meter as follows:

Remove the cover from the measurement optics by slightly squeezing it from both sides 1 and lifting it 2 off.

Clean the measurement optics carefully with a slightly dampened cotton swab or a soft, lint-free cloth.

Press the cover back on.

Please ensure that the optical system cover is firmly in place when you take a reading.

• Clean the measurement optics carefully with a slightly dampened cotton swab or a soft, lint-free cloth.
• Press the cover back on.

Please ensure that the optical system cover is firmly in place when you take a reading.

A potential risk of infection exists. Medical staff and other persons using Accu-Chek Compact to test blood glucose from more than one patient must be aware that any item coming into contact with human blood is a potential source of infection. (Please see "Protection of Laboratory Workers from Infectious Diseases Transmitted by Blood, Body Fluids, and Tissues"; Second Edition, Tentative Guideline, 1991, Document M29-T2, National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards.)

If you use 70% alcohol or a strongly diluted rinsing solution in the medical environment, wipe these fluids off immediately after application. Do not use cleaning agents that contain acetic acid (vinegar) or scouring agents because they can damage the display and the measurement optics.

Storing The Meter

With the batteries removed, the meter may be stored at between minus 40°C and plus 70°C. Please refer to the test strip package insert for the temperature at which to keep the test strips.

Do not store the meter at above plus 50°C when it contains batteries. At this temperature and above, the batteries could leak and damage the meter. At temperatures below minus 10°C, the batteries do not have enough power to keep the internal clock functioning. Store the meter in a dry place to keep it in good working condition.