General Questions
The Accu-Chek Instant meters has a fast test time of less than four seconds.
No, the USB port for any of the Accu-Chek meters is not water or dust resistant.
With the Accu-Chek Instant meter, it is not necessary to delete stored results. Once 720 blood glucose results are in the memory; adding a new result causes the oldest one to be deleted.
No. As seen with almost all products designed for self-monitoring, the Accu-Chek Instant meter cannot be used for diagnosis of diabetes.
The Accu-Chek Instant meters can be used for Alternative Site Testing (AST) on the palm, forearm and upper arm. Please refer to the user manual and speak to your healthcare professional for more information.
No, the Accu-Chek Instant meter does not require manual coding.
It is important to dispose of used lancets so they cannot cause injury. Whilst used Accu-Chek FastClix lancet drums can safely be disposed of in household waste, some local councils provide a sharps disposal service by supplying individuals with sharps bins and collecting them when they are full. Check with the local council which disposal services are available.
Many NHS organisations have sharps policies outlining their requirements for provisions in patients’ homes. For example, for patients who are carriers of infectious diseases, recommendations usually suggest that suitable arrangements need to be made for the disposal of the used articles as contaminated waste.
We recommend that the drums are stored in their original packaging. Keep your drums clean and protect them from extremes of temperature.
The required penetration depth depends on the following:
- The user’s skin: The softer and thinner their skin is, the shallower the depth setting should be.
- The required blood sample: The more blood that is required, the higher the chosen setting.
- The optimal penetration depth is a combination of both. Always start with a low setting when using the Accu-Chek FastClix finger pricker for the first time. Dial to a higher setting until blood volume is right.
Reports of an allergic reaction to the lancets are extremely rare. The lancets are made of stainless steel 1.4301, approved for medical purposes. This steel contains 18% chromium and approximately 9% nickel.
Yes, it can be used for Alternate Site Testing (AST) by using the specially designed AST cap. Please refer to the user instructions and discuss with your healthcare professional for details of when it is appropriate to use AST and suitable puncture sites. We do not recommend AST with the Accu-Chek Aviva Expert bolus advisor system. To obtain an AST cap please contact Accu-Chek Customer Care.
Yes. The the finger pricker can be left attached to the Accu-Chek Mobile meter to collect blood or, if preferred, it can be detached and used as a standalone finger pricker. When on the go, most people prefer to have the finger pricker attached to the meter because it makes handling easier.
Safety advice: The Accu-Chek FastClix finger pricker is intended for patient self-monitoring by an individual person only. It must not be used to collect blood in a multipatient setting as it does not incorporate any features to guard against cross infection.
No. The Accu-Chek FastClix finger pricker is intended for self-monitoring by an individual person only. It must not used to collect blood from more than one person as it does not incorporate any features to guard against cross infection.
There are several reasons this can happen:
- The penetration depth is too shallow. Please select a higher penetration depth setting.
- The Accu-Chek FastClix finger pricker needs to be pressed firmly against the skin. Check if a lancet is inserted in the finger pricker.
- Sometimes the blood does not appear immediately after lancing. Massaging the finger by gently squeezing it towards the fingertip helps to form a drop of blood.
Yes, the Accu-Chek FastClix finger pricker can be used attached to or detached from the Accu-Chek Mobile meter, including during lancet exchange.
No. Safety hooks are in place to prevent accidental reuse of a used drum. A used drum is easily recognised by the red stripes on the side.
No, for safety and hygiene reasons, once the lancet has been changed it is not possible to re-select a previous one.
It is highly recommended to use a new, sterile lancet every time a test is performed. This is based on hygienic considerations and to help avoid infection. Additionally, the tip of a new needle is sharp, with optimal form and cut and therefore ensures gentle lancing. This is diminished with multiple use.
Never use a lancet that has been used by someone else, or share the finger pricker with anyone, to guard against cross infection.
For support with your Accu-Chek Guide Link meter, including troubleshooting, please contact Accu-Chek Customer Care:
UK: 0800 701 000* or 020 3499 6159**
Ireland:1 800 709 60001 5410379**
You can reach us from: Monday to Friday 8am-6pm excluding bank holidays.
* Some mobile phone operators may charge or restrict access for calls to these numbers.
** Calls to these numbers are subject to a local call charge, depending on your mobile network provider.
For support with your Medtronic pump, including troubleshooting, please contact Medtronic:
UK: 01923 205167
Ireland: 015111444
If you are a Healthcare Professional:
To obtain additional demo or training meters, please contact Medtronic using the details above. You can order strips via your usual hospital pharmacy, wholesaler or by contacting us.
Ordering consumables and infusion sets for your Accu-Chek insulin pump online is only available to users who reside in the UK. Complete the online order form or contact Accu-Chek Customer Care.
In most cases your NHS Trust or Local Health Authority has authorised Roche to supply only selected consumables and quantities. If other goods are requested to be supplied this would first need to be authorised by your NHS Trust or Local Health Authority.
Please note: If you pay for your own pump consumables, or would like to order on behalf of someone else please contact Accu-Chek Customer Care.
Customers from the Republic of Ireland should obtain their pump consumables by prescription from their local chemist.
The Accu-Chek Insight Tender infusion set is compatible with the Accu-Chek Insight insulin pump.
Consumables for the Accu-Chek Solo micropump system are:
Accu-Chek Solo Pump Base
Accu-Chek Solo Reservoir Assembly
Accu-Chek Solo Infusion Assembly
Accu-Chek Solo Insertion Device
Ordering consumables and infusion sets for your Accu-Chek insulin pump online is only available to users who reside in the UK. Complete the online order form or contact Accu-Chek Customer Care.
In most cases your NHS Trust or Local Health Authority has authorised Roche to supply only selected consumables and quantities. If other goods are requested to be supplied this would first need to be authorised by your NHS Trust or Local Health Authority.
Please note: If you pay for your own pump consumables, or would like to order on behalf of someone else please contact Accu-Chek Customer Care.
Customers from the Republic of Ireland should obtain their pump consumables by prescription from their local chemist.
The Accu-Chek Rapid-D Link infusion set is compatible with the Accu-Chek Combo Insulin Pump.
Please refer to the Accu-Chek Rapid-D Link quick reference guide and support page for full instructions.
The Accu-Chek FlexLink infusion set is compatible with the Accu-Chek Combo Insulin Pump.
Please refer to the Accu-Chek FlexLink Instructions for Use and Quick Reference Guide which can be in the downloads section of this page.
Please follow the steps in the video on this page, These steps can be used with all Accu-Chek infusion sets which are compatible with the Accu-Chek LinkAssist insertion device.
The Accu-Chek Insight Rapid infusion set is compatible with the Accu-Chek Insight insulin pump.
When going on holiday, you should always take extra supplies to make sure that you are covered for anything that might happen during your trip.
Remember to take the following with you when you go away:
- Plenty of cannula and infusion sets
- Spare batteries
- Insulin and pump cartridges
- Test strips and lancets
- Emergency contact details
- Fast acting carbohydrate to treat hypos
- Travel letter from hospital / diabetes team
- Details of how to manage illness / pump failure or loss
- Back up insulin pens, cartridges and needles
Your insulin pump allows you to quickly and precisely adjust your insulin levels before, during and after exercise, to carefully match your individual needs.
All Accu-Chek insulin pumps are suitable to use during most types of exercise, however we recommend that you remove the insulin pump before taking part in any contact sports (e.g. rugby or martial arts) in order to prevent damage to the device or harm to yourself.
Many theme park rides, such as rollercoasters, are operated by high powered magnetic equipment, which have the potential to affect your insulin pump. Please check with the Theme Park Occupational Health and Safety officer about the magnetic equipment they use and what distance in meters / feet the field surrounds them. When within these fields do not wear or operate your insulin pump.
Please disconnect from your insulin pump and leave it in a safe place until you are no longer within the range of these magnets. If there is nowhere safe for you to leave your insulin pump, you should take it with you, however you will need to put it in STOP mode and disconnect it from your body before entering the field of exposure. Leave your insulin pump in STOP mode until you are outside the magnetic field. When it is safe to do so, please reconnect and START your insulin pump. Please remember to check your blood glucose levels before and after entering the field of exposure.
Always carry backup supplies – including hyper / hypo treatments and a backup insulin pen with you. If you are disconnected from your insulin pump for longer than 30 – 60 minutes you may need to reconnect to your insulin pump and give a correction dose (if safe to do so) or give a correction dose with your back up insulin delivery mechanism if you are still within the exposure range. You should follow your healthcare professional’s instructions to replace missed insulin or to correct a hypo.
No. Due to the high temperatures in saunas and steam rooms we recommend that you disconnect your pump and also remove your infusion set before entering. High temperatures can affect the insulin within your pump and also potentially cause damage to the pump itself.
Please consult with your healthcare professional to determine what precautions you should take prior to entering a sauna or steam room.
Both the Accu-Chek Combo and Accu-Chek Insight insulin pumps have an IPX8 rating. This means that both pumps are protected from brief immersion in water. As small hairline cracks in the housing of the device, or adapters and battery caps not being tightened enough could cause water to get into the device and cause damage, we recommend that you disconnect your insulin pump and leave it in a safe place before swimming, showering or bathing. This should only be done following advice from your healthcare professional, and you should test and correct as necessary at least every hour.
Some types of medical examinations, such as MRIs, CT scans and X-Rays, may interfere with the operation of your insulin pump. As such, you should disconnect the insulin pump from the body and leave it in a safe place outside of the treatment room.
If you use a steel infusion set, you may also be required to remove the infusion set for some procedures. Please consult with a healthcare professional prior to the procedure.
Bubbles naturally occur in all liquids, including insulin, when they undergo a fairly rapid temperature change, i.e. warm to cool.
To help to prevent bubbles, remove insulin from the fridge at least an hour before use. If you are self-filling cartridges, make sure to fill the cartridge with room-temperature insulin and draw it from the vial slowly and steadily.
You should regularly check your cartridge and tubing for bubbles and prime out any that you find. Always remember to disconnect from your insulin pump before priming.
Because Accu-Chek insulin pumps can be disconnected at the infusion site you can remove the pump temporarily (for up to an hour) to bathe, go swimming or take part in contact sports.
Always remember to check your blood glucose and correct as needed before disconnecting your insulin pump and again when you reconnect. If you are intending to be disconnected from your pump for longer than an hour, you should check your blood glucose regularly throughout the time you are disconnected, reconnecting and correcting as necessary.
You should discuss your personal requirements for disconnecting from your insulin pump with your healthcare professional before going ahead.
Please watch the video on this page and refer to the Accu-Chek TenderLink quick reference guide for the steps required to insert the Accu-Chek TenderLink infusion set.
The Accu-Chek TenderLink infusion set is compatible with the Accu-Chek Combo Insulin Pump.
All black code chips with 111 on them can be used in the Accu-Chek Aviva, Accu-Chek Aviva Nano or Accu-Chek Aviva Expert meters.
In the UK and Ireland it is not approved for use in clinical settings, although the Accu-Chek Aviva system is cleared to test capillary, venous, arterial, and neonatal blood samples.
The Accu-Chek Insight Flex infusion set is compatible with the Accu-Chek Insight insulin pump.
For assisted insertion using the Accu-Chek LinkAssist Plus insertion device, please refer to the Accu-Chek Insight Flex training chart and how-to video for more information.
For assisted insertion using the Accu-Chek LinkAssist Plus insertion device, please refer to the Accu-Chek Insight Flex training chart, Instructions for Use and how-to video for more information.
Here you can find information on how to recycle the different packaging components of Accu-Chek infusion sets and consumables for insulin pumps.
Ordering consumables and infusion sets for your Accu-Chek insulin pump online is only available to users who reside in the UK. Complete the online order form or contact Accu-Chek Customer Care.
In most cases your NHS Trust or Local Health Authority has authorised Roche to supply only selected consumables and quantities. If other goods are requested to be supplied this would first need to be authorised by your NHS Trust or Local Health Authority.
Please note: If you pay for your own pump consumables, or would like to order on behalf of someone else please contact Accu-Chek Customer Care.
Customers from the Republic of Ireland should obtain their pump consumables by prescription from their local chemist.
Bubbles naturally occur in all liquids, including insulin, when they undergo a fairly rapid temperature change, i.e. warm to cool.
To help to prevent bubbles, remove insulin from the fridge at least an hour before use. You should regularly check your cartridge and tubing for bubbles and prime out any that you find. Always remember to disconnect from your insulin pump before priming.
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