ACCU-CHEK® Voicemate Blood Glucose Meter Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I know if I've inserted the test strip correctly?
- How do I obtain a drop of blood?
- How do I best apply a drop of blood to the test strip?
- How do I know if I have applied enough blood to the strip?
- How do I clean my meter and how often?
- What are glucose control tests?
- When should I run a glucose control test?
- What happens if I use expired test strips?
- How do I code my system?
How do I know if I've inserted the test strip correctly?
When the test strip is inserted properly, you will hear "Strip inserted apply blood," followed by a beep.
How do I obtain a drop of blood?
• Warm fingers by washing with warm, soapy water. Rinse and dry completely. Warm fingers increase blood flow.
• Let your arm hang down at your side briefly to increase blood flow to fingertips.
• Grasp finger just below the joint closest to the fingertip and "milk" or massage gently toward tip of finger, then squeeze for three seconds.
• Use the ACCU-CHEK Softclix Lancet Device, prepared according to manufacturer's instructions.
How do I best apply a drop of blood to the test strip?
• System should be placed on a flat stable surface when testing.
• With test strip inserted in system, briefly touch drop of blood to the middle of the curved edge on the test strip. The blood drop is automatically drawn into the test strip.
• If the yellow window is not completely filled, a second drop of blood can be applied to edge of same test strip within 15 seconds of the first drop. If more than 15 seconds have passed, the test result may be erroneous and the test strip should be discarded and the test repeated.
How do I know if I have applied enough blood to the strip?
The test strip has been adequately dosed if the entire yellow window is filled with blood and you hear a beep.
How do I clean my meter and how often?
The ACCU-CHEK Voicemate blood glucose meter does not require any internal cleaning.
Clean the outside of the ACCU-CHEK Advantage Meter and voice unit, including the insulin vial reader, on a regular basis.
Clean by wiping with a soft cloth that has been slightly dampened with 70% isopropyl alcohol or a solution of one part bleach and nine parts water.
Do not get moisture into the code key slot or in the test strip opening.
What are glucose control tests?
A glucose control test using the Chek Strip makes sure your ACCU-CHEK Voicemate System is working properly.
A glucose control test using ACCU-CHEK Comfort CurveTM Control Solutions makes sure you are doing a test correctly and receiving accurate results.
A test with control solution is done in the exact same manner as a test with blood, except you use one drop of solution on the test strip instead of using a drop of blood.
You can perform glucose control tests without the Chek Strip. Using the Chek Strip prevents the control result from being stored in the system's memory. If you do not use the Chek Strip, the control result will be stored in memory.
When should I run a glucose control test?
• Whenever your result does not agree with the way you feel.
• If you have repeated a test, and the blood sugar result is still lower or higher than expected.
• If you leave the cap off the vial of test strips.
• Before using your system for the first time.
• When you open a new vial of test strips.
• If you drop the system.
• Whenever you want to check the way you are performing your blood sugar test.
• When you want to check the performance of the system and test strip.
What happens if I use expired test strips?
Using test strips that are expired can cause your blood test results to be inaccurate. If your test strips have expired, throw them away and begin using a new vial of strips that are not expired.
The expiration date is printed on the vial of test strips.
How do I code my system?
Before you use your system for the first time, and every time you open a new vial of test strips, you need to set the system to "match" the strips. This is called coding or calibrating.
The ACCU-CHEK Voicemate blood glucose meter is coded automatically using the code key found with each new vial of test strips.
The code key is a thin, plastic electronic component approximately 1/2 inch wide by 3/4 inches long.
• Turn system off. Make sure vial reader is empty.
• Turn system over and locate code key slot at right rear corner. Remove and discard the old code key if one is installed.
• Hold new code key at the ridged end with flat, smooth surface facing up. Insert into code key slot until it snaps into place.
• You will hear "Code is ... (3-digit number)" upon startup if the code key has been inserted properly.
You will need to insert a new code key whenever you open a new vial of test strips, or if you hear upon startup "Turn system off. Insert code key." This may occur if the code key is missing or not inserted properly. If this happens, turn the system off. Re-insert the code key and turn the system on.
For help with your ACCU-CHEK Product, please call the ACCU-CHEK Customer Care Service Center at 1-800-858-8072. For meter support, we're here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Software support is available Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-10 p.m. EST.