Checking Accu-Chek Advantage

To ensure your results are always dependable, you must periodically check the performance of your Accu-Chek Advantage meter.

When should I check my meter?

• If you leave the cap off the vial of test strips.
• Before using your meter for the first time.
• When you open a new vial of test strips.
• If you drop the meter.
• Whenever your result does not agree with the way you feel.
• Whenever you want to check the way you are performing your blood glucose test.
• If you have repeated a test, and the blood glucose result is still lower or higher than expected.
• When you want to check the performance of the meter and test strip.

Running A Quality Control Test

Quality Control Checks

What are quality control checks?

They ensure that you are doing a test correctly and that your Accu-Chek Advantage System is working properly.

To do a quality control check, you need:

• Advantage II Glucose Control Solutions (Level 1 and Level 2)
• Advantage II Glucose Test Strips
• Advantage Chek Strip

Note: When you open a new bottle of Glucose Control Solution, write the date on the label. Opened bottles of Glucose Control Solution are good for three months, or until the expiry date, whichever comes first.

Important: Make sure you use the proper control solution for the test strips you have:

Advantage II Glucose Test Strips require Advantage II Glucose Control Solutions

Performing a Quality Control Check with Advantage II Glucose Test Strips

1. Insert Chek Strip (“Chek” side up) into the meter. The meter turns on automatically and quickly goes through a series of internal checks.

This brief test allows you to make sure your meter is functioning properly. "OK" and “ should appear on display.

Continue with testing

If this display appears, turn meter OFF and repeat step 1. If this error display appears again, your meter is not working correctly.

2. Remove Chek Strip from meter.

The test strip symbol flashes. "L1" and "" appear on display.

3. Open test strip vial and remove test strip. Replace vial cap.

4. Within 30 seconds, insert test strip (Yellow Window facing up) into test strip slot.

The test strip symbol stops flashing and a blood drop symbol appears on the display.

5. Hold the control bottle horizontally with the tip pointed directly at the right edge of the strip.

6. Gently squeeze the bottle to form one small drop.

7. Bring the drop to the edge of the strip within the curve, and allow the strip to automatically draw the solution into the Yellow Window until it is completely filled.

A box rotates in the display until the measurement is complete.

8. Tightly replace the cap of Control Solution.

9. The control result appears. If result is within the acceptable range (which is found on the side of the pot of strips), the result and "OK" flash on the display. Continue with step 1.

Example of an acceptable low control result.

and

If result is not within the acceptable range, “error”, “” and the result flash on the display.

Example of an unacceptable low control result.

and

10. Remove test strip from meter and discard. The test strip symbol, "L2" and "" appear on the display.

Turn meter OFF when you are done with your quality control check. Or, to perform another control check using Level 2 control solution, return to step 3 and follow the same steps again.

Note: Using the Chek Strip prevents the quality control result from taking up space in the meter’s memory. If you do not use the Chek Strip, the control result will be stored in memory.

You can perform quality control checks without your Chek Strip. To do so, simply apply the control solutions to your test strips the same way as for a blood glucose test.

To check if the result is within the acceptable range, see the glucose control ranges printed on the test strip vial label.

Cleaning The Meter

Clean the outside of the meter with a soft cloth that has been slightly dampened with water. Do not get moisture into the Code Key slot or the test strip slot.

Display Check

This verifies that all parts of the display are working. Make sure the meter is off. Press and hold down the button. The display should look exactly like the picture below. If it does not, call Roche Diagnostics.

Storing The Meter

Keep your meter free of dust. Protect it from extremes in temperature and humidity, and handle it with care. If meter is dropped, perform a quality control check with the Chek Strip and the Glucose Control Solutions before doing a blood glucose test.

The Advantage travel case is designed to let you store a variety of supplies you may need, and helps to protect your meter.

Do’s and Don’ts

DO:

• TIGHTLY REPLACE VIAL LID AFTER REMOVING A TEST STRIP.
• Make sure code number on meter matches code number on strip vial label.
• Keep meter clean.
• Call Roche Diagnostics with any questions during business hours.

DON’T:

• Use expired test strips.
• Use Code Key from another blood glucose system.
• Store meter or strips in extreme temperatures.
• Store meter in damp or humid areas.
• Insert any object other than a test strip or a Chek Strip into strip slot.
• Remove or insert Code Key while meter is on.
• Test with meter placed on hot or cold surfaces.