A comparison of user accuracy, techniques, and learning time of various systems for self blood glucose monitoring

Accuracy of results of self blood glucose monitoring (SBGM) has been shown to be technique and user dependent. Thirty patients, using four commercially available meters (Accu-Chek II, Glucometer II, Glucoscan 2000, and ExacTech), were studied to test the relative accuracy, technique error rates, and learning time for the four meters. No significant difference was found in user accuracy among the four meters. The mean number of technique errors was significantly smaller with the ExacTech system compared with the other three. No significant changes in user accuracy were seen after 1 week of practice with unfamiliar meters. The authors conclude that while all meters had approximately the same user accuracy, the ExacTech meter, which required the least user technique, had fewer user errors and required less time to learn to use.