Nova Stat Strip Update

Welcome to your Statstrip update

Point of Care Testing (POCT) is the analysis of patient specimens outside of the laboratory by non-laboratory staff.

The success of POCT depends crucially on the effectiveness of the training of non-laboratory staff.

Training is required for Care Quality Commission: Outcome11 Safe Use of Medical Devices

Contact Information

For any technical or training issues with the meters please contact Helen Hobba or Kate Tregunna in Clinical Chemistry via ext 2556 / 2837, or poct.poct@rcht.cornwall.nhs.uk

For any Clinical advice please contact the Diabetic Inpatient Specialist Team on 3104 (RCHT) or 4151 (WCH / SMH)

Equipment Required on the wardsStat Strip Connectivity Meter and Docking Station

Plus Work Station containing:

Owen Mumford Unistix lancets

Gauze for wiping finger after obtaining sample.

Stat Strip Glucose Test Strips, 50 strips per vial – stable for 6 months after opening, please date the vial.

Stat Strip Glucose Control Solution, Level 1(low) and Level 3 (high) - stable for 3 months, please date the bottle.

Contraindications to use of the Statstrip Meter

When patient has peripheral vascular disease or a condition that impairs circulation to the periphery

Patient is dehydrated

Patient is in shock

Patient has severe odema

Patient is hypotensive

Send a venous sample to the lab to check the result

Sample CollectionChildren < 1 yearCollect from the lateral areas of the sole.

During blood collection, the child must held with foot facing towards the floor.

A site which has all ready been punctured must not be punctured a second time.

To improve blood flow you can warm heel prior to sample collection by wrapping in a warm, moist cloth. The heel must be disinfected and then dried completely.

Children >1yr and AdultsCollect capillary blood from the side of the fingertips.Thumb and index finger should be avoided for the puncture. Wash patient’s hands with warm soapy water or water and a damp gauze. Alcohol wipes / gel should not be used. Massage finger to stimulate blood flow.

1. Twist the sterility cap, remove and dispose.

2. Hold the device between index finger, middle finger and thumb. 3. Press device firmly against chosen puncture site

4. Using your thumb, press down trigger completely.

5. Remove device from puncture site and dispose in sharps bin as per Trust sharps policy

Please note: the lancets are single-use, disposable devices

Green light onwhen connectedto the network

Green light onwhen data isflowing

Spare battery at rear of docking station. Charging Light: Amber = ChargingGreen = Charged

Charging Light:Amber = ChargingGreen = Charged

Running Quality Control

1) 2) 3)

4) 6)5)

Running a Patient Sample

86361) 2) 3)

4) 5) 6)

Screen Comments

StatStrip glucose meter reads between 0.6 - 33.3 mmol/L

Glucose: < 4mmol/l - Diabetic - HYPO – Treat Glucose: <4 mmol/l - Not Diabetic – Review Glucose: 4 - 9 mmol/l -"Normal - No Action"

Glucose: > 9 mmol/l - "Review needed" Glucose: > 15mmol/l " Review Ketone Test

The result must be entered in the patient’s notes, along with any appropriate action taken.

If result is less than 0.6 mmol/L, meter displays LO

If result is greater than 33.3mmol/L, meter displays HI

Report abnormal or unexpected results to nurse in charge or doctor

Any sample giving a meter result below 2.8 mmol / L or above 25 mmol / L and any unexpected result not in keeping with the clinical picture or a sample which gives more than one error message MUST be confirmed by sending an urgent venous blood sample to Clinical Chemistry.

Any result less than 4 mmol /l or greater than 9mmol/l consistently or 15mmol/l at any one time should be reported to a trained member of the nursing or medical staff.

Cleaning the Meter

Clean and disinfect the meter after each use using a sani-cloth disinfectant wipe (yellow top), blot with a dry paper towel and then follow with a water dampened cloth to remove any residue of cleaning solution

Please take care to keep moisture out of the test strip area.

Troubleshooing