Performance of a quality-assessment scheme for blood glucose meters in general practice

We describe our experience with a quality-assessment scheme for Glucometer users in General Practice based on simultaneous blood samples taken on filter paper strips and posted to the laboratory. The accuracy of results from these blood glucose meters outside the laboratory was below generally accepted laboratory standards; 30% of results fell outside +/- 20% of the laboratory value. Only 58% of the filter paper strips sent out were returned for analysis, suggesting a lack of awareness of the benefits and importance of such a scheme by the G.P. Glucometer users.