Frequently Asked Questions
Test strips, coding and control tests
Roche Diabetes Care Limited retained the code chip for 4 reasons:
- It can provide feature upgrades (such as faster test times and smaller sample sizes) without the need to buy a new meter.
- It helps to ensure more accurate results by reducing the inherent variability in all test strips.
- It is easy to use. Unlike some systems that require you to scroll through multiple numbers to code the meter manually, the code chip for the Accu-Chek Performa Nano system just snaps in place.
- The control range data is stored in the code chip
The Accu-Chek Performa Nano blood glucose monitoring system differentiates between control solution and blood because controls have higher salt concentration. However, if the control solution evaporates or concentrates on the tip of the bottle, it could cause the meter to display an incorrect control reading.
The enzyme on the test strip, mutant variant of quinoprotein glucose dehydrogenase converts the glucose in the blood sample to gluconolactone. This reaction creates a harmless DC electrical current that the meter interprets for the user’s blood glucose result. The sample and environmental conditions are also evaluated using a small AC signal.
An error message and the control result will alternate on the display.
The test strips use glucose dehydrogenase chemistry.
The Accu-Chek Performa Nano system will test blood samples from 3 alternate sites (called Alternate Site Testing, AST): forearm, palm or upper arm. Please refer to the user manual for further information on AST.
Talk with your healthcare professional before deciding if alternate site testing is right for you.
Control test values do not stay in the memory that can be accessed on the meter. Instead, the meter stores them in the downloadable memory, so you can view them with supported software.
Only 3 other substances in the blood stream (galactose, ascorbic acid, and lipids) can interfere with the Accu-Chek Performa test strips.
Only the black code chips with 222 on them can be used in Accu-Chek Performa Nano meter.
Special features
An additional internal battery supports the clock when the main battery is removed. The battery can be left out of the Accu-Chek Performa Nano meter for up to 72 hours and still retain the time and date. If the battery is replaced within that time, the meter will ask the user to verify the time and date the next time it is turned on.
When the main battery is replaced, the internal battery will automatically recharge. If the battery is not replaced within 72 hours, the meter will retain the time and date that was stored immediately before the internal battery was depleted.
Up to 4 test reminders can be set per day, in 15-minute increments. At the set reminder time(s), a series of beeps will sound every 2 minutes, up to 3 times per reminder. The reminder beep will not occur if the Accu-Chek Performa Nano meter is on at the set time, or if a test is run within 15 minutes prior to the set reminder time. If the meter is turned on while the reminder is sounding, the series of beeps for that reminder will stop.
The Accu-Chek Performa Nano meter has an inbuilt infrared window permitting wireless data downloading to a suitably equipped PC, hand held computer (PDA), or special evaluation system that enables the user to download test results.
With the meter off, press and hold both left and right arrow buttons until two arrows on the display flash alternatively to transfer stored results to a computer. Make the receiving end (software product or hardware) ready to download the results. The 2 windows should be 3 to 10 cm (1 to 4 inches) apart.
Roche offers a variety of special hardware and software to use with Accu-Chek blood glucose monitoring systems. These products enable the user and their healthcare team to manage data more effectively and, through their graph and table views, make it easier for the user to understand their results. Please refer to the section on Smart Pix for more information.
Yes. Simply turn the beeper off in setup mode.
General questions
The Accu-Chek Performa Nano system checks for many potential safety issues by combining the power of technologies in the blood glucose testing system (the meter), the code chip, and test strips with electrodes to perform extensive safety checks during each test. It uses the same technology as the Accu-Chek Aviva blood glucose monitoring system.
Getting started
With the meter turned on and the flashing strip symbol on the display, press and hold the ON/OFF/SET button for about 4 seconds until set-up appears and the hour is flashing on the display.
