Date
of Last Review: 5/19/08
SME: Associate Director of Nursing
This procedure establishes guidelines for obtaining glucose. The results of
this test are used for definitive purposes in the further care and treatment
of patients with diabetes who may require sliding scale insulin injections.
Licensed staff must demonstrate competency prior to performing the glucose monitoring test.
Agency staff are not permitted to perform the glucose monitoring test. Agency staff must notify the Nursing Supervisor of the need to perform the test.
The Nursing Supervisor/Ancillary staff or designee perform daily procedures for maintenance and quality control of the Glucometer to include, but not limited to the following:
 | Perform a glucometer elite control test daily to include high and low control |
| Re-code or calibrate the meter with the code strip if the check, strip, controls, or blood glucose are incorrect or questionable |
| Perform cleaning and maintenance of the instrument |
| Record all information on the Laboratory Glucose Monitoring Record |
The following is the process for use of the glucometer:
Step |
Action |
1 |
Nursing staff check out the glucometer system from the Lab or Nursing Supervisor office per the sign-out log. Note: Refer to the Precision PCX manual for instructions for glucometer operation. |
2 |
The licensed staff is responsible for verbally reporting abnormal glucose levels to the physician and nursing supervisor as follows: Abnormal Glucose Levels Hypoglycemic - Below 60 mg/dL Hyperglycemic - Above 300 mg/dL |
3 |
For all abnormal readings, nursing staff must perform confirmation testing by a venous specimen. |
4 |
Nursing staff document readings in the medical record (e.g. diabetic flow sheet, progress notes, etc). |
5 |
Nursing staff clean and return the glucose unit. |
Related to regulatory standards
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