Effect of storage in light and dark on accuracy of blood glucose test strips

Two-hundred and twenty-five BM 20-800 blood glucose test strips were developed from a series of blood samples spanning their glucose range. Groups of 75 strips were stored under three differing sets of conditions. The change with time of the mean indicated blood glucose concentration of the strips during storage in light or dark conditions was recorded. Strips stored on a ward chart in the light faded slowly with time. Storing with a Sellotape covering accelerated the fading process. In contrast developed strips were found to be stable when stored in a sealed tin in the dark. Three rules of thumb have been derived to allow retrospective estimation of the initial indicated blood glucose concentration of strips stored for up to 10 days on a bedside chart in the light without a Sellotape covering. Sealed tin storage would allow clinic based quality control of home blood glucose monitoring.