Modern technologies for qualitative analysis of capillary blood

• November 14, 2019
• Child's health
• Svetlana Pavlova

Patients who consult a doctor are often prescribed diagnostic procedures, the most common of which is a general blood test. Some time ago, special devices called scarifiers were used for this. Their main disadvantage is pain when piercing the dermis. Today they have been replaced by more advanced devices - lancets. How to use this device? This will be discussed in the article.

What is this device?

The lancet is intended for single use when taking capillary blood for analysis. This is a specially designed special device that prevents injury to the phalanges of patients' fingers when it is necessary to repeatedly take blood for analysis.

The lancet has an ultra-fine needle that is painlessly inserted under the dermis and leaves no marks. The device is automated and is activated when you press a special button or touch the skin. Sterility is ensured by a plastic removable cap. The blood collection procedure lasts only two to three seconds.

Price of needles for glucometer

The cost of lancets, like any product, is determined by the equipment and quality:

• Type of consumable;
• Number of needles in the set;
• Manufacturer's authority;
• Degree of modernization;
• Quality.

For this reason, packages of the same volume from different brands will differ in price. Of all the types, the most budget option is universal lancets. The pharmacy chain may offer a package of 25 pcs. or 200 pcs. For a box of the same size from a Polish manufacturer you will have to pay about 400 rubles, for a German manufacturer - from 500 rubles. If you focus on the pricing policy of pharmacies, then the cheapest option is online pharmacies and daytime inpatient pharmacies.

Automatic analogues will cost an order of magnitude more. Per box of 200 pcs. you need to pay from 1400 rubles. The quality of such lancets is always at its best, so the price does not depend on the manufacturer. The highest quality lancets are produced in the USA and Great Britain, Austria and Switzerland.

The quality of the lancet is an important point in the process of monitoring the glycemic profile. If measurements are taken carelessly, the risk of infection and complications increases many times over. Correction of nutrition and dosage of medications depend on the accuracy of the result. Today, purchasing lancets is not a problem; the main thing is to take their selection and use seriously.

Disposable lancets

Modern devices used to take blood for analysis greatly facilitate the procedure. There is no discomfort or pain at all. They are most suitable when you need to frequently monitor your blood composition. How to use a disposable lancet?

Step-by-step instruction:

1. Use an alcohol wipe to disinfect the puncture site.
2. Turn clockwise and remove the protective cap.
3. Load the needle holder and adjust the puncture depth.
4. Place the device firmly on the side of your fingertip and press the “Start” button. There are models that are triggered when the body comes into contact with the surface of the dermis.
5. Using gentle pressure on your finger, draw blood.

The disposable device cannot be reused; immediately after the procedure is completed, the needle is blocked and the device must be disposed of. This ensures that the infection cannot spread from person to person.

Rating of quality piercers costing from 350 rubles

Microlet Next

Comfortable and safe lancing device. Visually resembles a pen. Belongs to the category of new products. Innovative developments are used in manufacturing. The automatic device is compatible with Microlet lancets. You can select scarifiers from other manufacturers, only the connectors must be similar. Suitable for manipulating fingers, palms, forearms. The product is equipped with a special mechanism that prevents accidental piercing. A device with five depth levels. Intended for use by adults and children.

The presence of a special guide improves the quality of the trigger mechanism. The puncture is smooth, vibrations are not observed. Silicone coating. The needle acceleration is optimal. There is no pain, only mild discomfort. Designed for individual use. Each fence requires the presence of a new lancet. After use it must be disposed of. Requires regular cleansing of blood droplets. For this purpose, isopropyl alcohol is used.

You can purchase the device for 405 rubles.

lancer Microlet Next

Advantages:

• practicality;
• ease of use;
• functionality;
• versatility;
• inexpensive;
• quality of materials used;
• assembly accuracy;
• positive reviews.

Flaws:

• not identified.

One Touch Delica

Products from Johnson and Johnson LifeScan (United States of America). The best option for medical equipment for obtaining a drop of blood for a rapid test. Improved system. Sold at an affordable price in specialized stores. Available with or without Select Plus and OneTouch Verio IQ meters. Any analyzers are suitable. The optimal assistant for people suffering from diabetes. After the procedure with this device, the red mesh does not appear on the fingers. No inflammatory processes occur.

The trigger release is smooth. The needle enters at a right angle. No vibration. There are 7 levels of puncture depth. The needles are thin – 0.32 mm. There is a silicone coating. High precision sharpening. No discomfort is felt. Device with automatic lancet removal function. Can be used both at home and on the road, as well as in the workplace. Suitable for collecting material from the finger, palm and forearm.

The device is intended for individual use. Very easy to use. You need to remove the cap, insert the lancet into the port, and install the cap on the lancing device. Don’t forget to set the desired puncture depth. After cocking the trigger, the product is brought to the finger and the release button is pressed.

The average cost is 680 rubles.

lancing device One Touch Delica

Advantages:

• functionality;
• simplicity in application;
• practicality;
• versatility;
• safety;
• no pain.

Flaws:

• not installed.

ICheck II

The product belongs to the universal category. Purchased for an easy and painless procedure. It is extremely popular due to the price-quality ratio. Easy to use, convenient. It is reliable and practical. Sold without a cap. It is advisable to buy universal type lancets for it. There may not be compatibility with others. Belongs to the category of individual devices. Requires cleaning and disinfection weekly. Just take a soft material and soak it in soapy water. The tip is also washed.

If the device was used by a third party, disinfection is carried out using alcohol. The lancet is removed after each use. Before performing any manipulations, you need to wash your hands thoroughly and treat the puncture site with a napkin soaked in alcohol. The cap is removed and the lancet is installed. An acceptable depth is selected. The trigger is pulled all the way. Bring the device to your finger and press the start button.

The sellers are asking 350 rubles for the products.

Lancer ICheck II

Advantages:

• restraint of design;
• possibility of adjusting the trigger mechanism;
• the presence of special guides;
• no vibration;
• smooth needle penetration;
• five levels of puncture;
• high-precision three-sided sharpening;
• silicone coating;
• speed of wound healing;
• versatility;
• positive reviews;
• value for money.

Flaws:

• none.

Accu-Chek Softclix

Products from a Swiss manufacturer. Ensures the procedure is hygienic and painless. The appearance resembles a pen. Sold in conjunction with a glucometer. The number of lancets per package is 25 pieces. It is advisable to use only “native” lancets. Others may not be suitable. They are distinguished by laser sharpening. The fabric produces a perfectly even cut. The needle is covered with an additional silicone layer. Vibrations are not felt due to the presence of additional guides. The tissues are not injured, the wounds heal quickly. The needle is removed automatically.

The item can only be used individually. Otherwise, you may get an infection. The storage area must be dry and clean. It is forbidden to expose the device to direct sunlight or leave it near switched on electrical appliances. Reuse of the lancet is not recommended. Consumables should be disinfected and disposed of.

Purchase price – 610 rubles.

Accu-Chek Softclix lancer

Advantages:

• safety;
• practicality;
• ease of use;
• versatility;
• light weight;
• stylish design;
• does not catch the eye of others;
• there are 11 puncture depth positions - from 0.8 to 2.3 mm;
• painlessness;
• Suitable for a variety of research settings;
• accelerated healing process.

Flaws:

• not identified.

Akku – Check FastClix

The product is manufactured by a Swiss company. Sold in all specialized retail outlets. The reviews are only positive. Belongs to the automatic category. It is considered the most successful and progressive model on the market. It can be purchased either as a set with glucometers or independently. Easy and simple to use. One movement is enough, and the blood collection is completed. It will help you determine your sugar level at work and at home, as well as on the road. Works with FastClix cassettes. Designed for 6 needles. To avoid inflammation, special drums are used. You need to install the cassette at home with clean hands and not touch the needles again.

Easy and simple to use. The finger is wiped with a swab, one press - and the material for research is ready. The needles have a special three-sided sharpening and silicone coating. There is no pain during manipulation. The manufacturer has provided 11 depth thresholds. Suitable for both children and adults. The appearance resembles a fountain pen. Looks stylish and modern. It is advisable to use individually. Repeated use is not recommended.

Purchase price – 550 rubles.

Accu lancer – Chek FastClix

Advantages:

• functionality;
• practicality;
• safety;
• absence of pain;
• rapid healing of wounds;
• value for money;
• versatility.

Flaws:

• not found.

Devices for children

They stand out in a separate category and have very thin and sharp needles so that the baby does not experience fear before the procedure, which worsens blood counts. How to use children's lancets?

They are used according to the following scheme:

• unscrew and remove the cap;
• press the body of the device tightly against the child’s finger - it will work automatically;
• Using gentle pressure, select the required amount of biomaterial.

As you can see, using the lancet is not difficult.

Following the procedure, the needle is automatically retracted into the body and locked. All devices for collecting blood for analysis in children are disposable and are disposed of after use. But before this manipulation they are disinfected in an autoclave, after which they become safe garbage that can be thrown away.

Varieties

Lancets have successfully become a replacement for scarifiers. The word itself has German roots, since in German the word "lanzette" comes from the French "lance", which means spear. A sharp needle can pierce the skin of a finger almost without pain. Each device has a removable cap to ensure it remains sterile.

Devices differ in appearance and can be automatic or universal. Their principle of operation and cost depend on this. There is a separate category of devices that are used in pediatrics.

Models for universal use

The main advantage of these products is that they can be used with all types of glucometers. The exception is Softclix devices, which can only be used in the Accu Chek Softlix lancing pen.

The great advantage of this type of product is the ability to regulate the depth of skin puncture using a piercing pen.

Regulation is carried out as follows:

1. If the regulator is in position 1 or 2, this means that the device is used for children.
2. Adjuster position 3 is suitable for women.
3. The adjuster at position 4 or 5 is necessary for people with rougher skin.

Automatic

Thanks to innovative technologies, this type of device is the thinnest and sharpest, so the puncture of the skin is not felt at all. They are used when it is necessary to take blood from an adult or a small child.

Another convenience of automatic scarifiers is that they do not require any devices or special handles to use them; you just need to press on the head of the device.

Automatic lancing devices are expensive, so people with diabetes rarely have the opportunity to use them every day and prefer universal devices.

Lancing devices for children

Due to the high price, the use of such devices is limited, even though, due to their sharpness, they simply cannot cause any pain, psychological discomfort or suffering to the child. Therefore, many parents are inclined to think that switching to universal piercing devices would be a good alternative.

Accu-Chek FastClix Lancets

These devices, easy to use, have been specially designed to painlessly prick a finger or earlobe to obtain a drop of blood. The depth of the puncture is selected depending on the individual characteristics of the skin. The structures are intended for individual use only to avoid infection.

When installing or replacing you must:

• twist the protective cap;
• when replacing, remove the old lancet by pulling the sliding sector;
• place the new lancet in the holder and press until it stops;
• screw on the cap;
• make sure that the notch on the cap is aligned with the center of the semicircular cutout on the sliding sector.

Modern technologies for qualitative analysis of capillary blood

Blood collection systems:

23.11.2018

In clinical practice, situations quite often arise when it is impossible to take blood for laboratory tests from peripheral veins. These are, first of all, premature babies and children of the first year of life, elderly people and obese patients in critical condition. For this purpose, there are systems designed for the collection, transportation and subsequent examination of capillary blood. The largest range of microtubes (microtainers with a built-in collector) for collecting capillary blood with the same range of reagents as for tubes intended for collecting venous blood (with the exception of tubes for studying hemostasis) is produced.

As you know, laboratory research is divided into three main stages: preanalytical (outside the laboratory), analytical and postanalytical. The analytical stage is directly related to the function of the laboratory, and it is easily controlled by laboratory specialists, and the use of modern diagnostic systems (automatic analyzers, diagnostic kits, control materials and calibrators) minimize errors at the laboratory stage. The preanalytical stage can be least controlled by the laboratory, since a significant part of this stage is carried out by employees of medical institutions. And it is this stage that accounts for up to 93% of errors in the production of analyzes [].

The centralized clinical diagnostic laboratory carries out research for 40 medical institutions in the city of Krasnoyarsk. Therefore, the issue of proper preparation of patients and taking biological material from children is very urgent. Control of preanalytical factors is key to ensure quality results. By reducing the number of errors at any stage of preanalytical preparation, you can significantly improve the quality of research, reduce the number of repeated samples, and reduce the cost of working time and money for examining patients. The psychological and physical discomfort of the patient is also important when the question of re-obtaining biomaterial arises (children and pregnant women).

The Central Clinical Children's Hospital performs studies for children in the city's outpatient clinics, which accounts for 43% of all studies performed. And 57% is performed for patients at antenatal clinics in the city.

The analysis of rejected hematological samples over the year allowed us to estimate the frequency of errors at the preanalytical stage. Hemogram examinations average 17,500 per month. To perform hematological examinations, we use capillary and venous blood. We carry out hematological studies from capillary blood only in children, and this share is 58%, and 42% is the study of venous blood (these are older children and the female population). The percentage of defects when obtaining capillary blood was 2.2%, when receiving venipuncture the percentage was 0.7%. Thus, the percentage of errors when taking capillary blood is three times higher than when taking venous blood. The main reasons for the poor quality of the blood samples taken are: clots in the sample and a violation of the sample volume, which leads to a violation of the blood-anticoagulant ratio (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1 - The main reasons for the low quality of blood samples taken.

• Samples obtained with clots accounted for the largest proportion of errors in both capillary and venous blood collections. Three times more clots were obtained in capillary blood than in venous blood. How can this fact be explained?
• Contact activation of coagulation when taking capillary blood;
• The release of tissue thromboplastin under finger pressure;
• Relatively time-consuming blood collection procedure;
• Small sample volume and therefore problematic mixing;
• Insufficient and untimely mixing of the test tube.

Venous blood is considered the best material for laboratory research. With a certain standardization of the processes of collection, storage, and transportation of venous blood, it is possible to achieve minimal trauma and activation of cells, admixture of tissue fluid, while it is always possible to repeat and/or expand the analysis (for example: in case of low hemoglobin, prescribe reticulocytes) and, as a result, minimize the need repeated blood collection procedures (a very important factor for children) and the impact on the correctness and accuracy of the results.

Capillary blood collection for laboratory research is possible in the following situations:

• for burns that occupy a large surface area of ​​the patient’s body;
• if the patient is severely obese;
• with an established tendency to venous thrombosis;
• in newborns;
• with the persistent desire of the parents.

The anatomical structure of the circulatory system of children determines the need to correctly select the puncture site and medical instruments. In pediatric practice, it is possible to take capillary blood from a finger, heel and, in rare cases, from the earlobe. Finger taping should not be performed on infants as it may cause bone damage. In this case, a suitable puncture site for obtaining a sample is the heel at the distal part of the calcaneus. In this regard, it seems important to use automatic lancets that guarantee low trauma and compliance with the required puncture depth, depending on the type of lancet chosen. There is a direct relationship between the volume of blood received and the depth of the puncture. In this regard, the type of lancet should be selected in accordance with the puncture site and the volume of the resulting sample. produces disposable lancets with different types of piercing devices: needle or blade, as well as with different puncture depths. BD Microtainer® Violet Contact Activated Lancets are designed to obtain a single drop of blood and provide at least 90% pain-free patient experience [], while BD Microtainer® Blue Lancets are designed to obtain up to 0 .5 ml of blood and provide a capillary blood flow rate of at least 2 µl/s []. For capillary blood collection from newborns, preference should be given to contact-activated BD Quikheel™ with a blade that performs a semicircular cutting movement, which allows you to obtain a good current from the wound in at least 90% of cases [].

Taking into account the age-related characteristics of children’s behavior during the blood collection procedure (mobility, emotional stress, etc.), attention should be paid to the sequence of filling the tubes. To correctly collect capillary blood, you should start with tubes with anticoagulants (for hematological studies), and then use microtainers or tubes to obtain serum or plasma intended for biochemical, immunological and other types of research. For example, the use of the BD Microtainer® PST™ amber tube ensures that plasma samples are stable for bilirubin testing for at least 24 hours at room temperature []. It should be noted that the study of hematological parameters, blood group, glucose and some other biochemical parameters in children is possible from capillary blood, but the study of indicators of the hemostatic system and hormones must be carried out only from venous blood.

Deviations from standards during sample collection, sample transportation and storage, and patient-related factors can lead to incorrect or inaccurate test results and therefore misdiagnosis. We looked at the effect of the volume of the sample obtained on the research results. Capillary blood was taken simultaneously from one patient in microtainers with K2EDTA and K3EDTA from different manufacturers. Samples were taken taking into account the manufacturers' recommendations and with a violation of the volume, as is often the case in practice (Fig. 2, 3).

Excess EDTA, regardless of concentration, negatively affects red blood cells, first causing them to shrink and then, over time, to swell, which leads to an increase in the average volume and a decrease in the average hemoglobin content in one red blood cell. In addition, the use of K2EDTA in BD Microtainer® tubes is accompanied by the absence of microclot formation [], and the BD Microtainer® MAP tube with K2EDTA, designed specifically for automatic capillary blood analyzers, ensures the risk of microclot formation of no more than 2% [] and the stability of hematological parameters is no less 12 hours when storing samples at room temperature []. At the same time, the violations identified during our studies are most pronounced in samples with KZEDTA. Violation of the blood-anticoagulant ratio leads to swelling of platelets and their splitting, which is expressed in an increase in their number, since the resulting fragments are quite large in size and can be counted as normal blood platelets. CZEDTA also causes a decrease in the total number of leukocytes and their degenerative changes. In this regard, attention should be paid to the anticoagulant used, to strict compliance with the sample volume recommended by the manufacturer, as well as to thorough and timely mixing of the sample.

When research is centralized, blood collection can be least controlled by the laboratory. Often, the choice of material and puncture site is carried out by health care facility staff without taking into account the requirements of the laboratory, which forces some samples to be rejected. Our laboratory has developed criteria for refusing to conduct research in the following cases: the material taken is in the wrong test tube (i.e., with the wrong filler); the presence of clots in a sample with anticoagulants; sample volume discrepancy (deviation +10% allowed); hemolysis of the sample (except for studies that are not affected by hemolysis); absence of a barcode on the direction or tube; lack of a list of studies, etc. Since the procedural nurse is not part of the laboratory staff, and the laboratory is responsible for the final result to the patient, it is necessary to develop clear instructions:

• by choosing the blood collection procedure (venous or capillary);
• by choosing medical instruments for drawing blood (a needle with a certain diameter, a lancet with a different type and depth of a piercing device);
• by choosing test tubes and microtainers with the necessary filler;
• according to the sequence of their filling.

We consider it important to train nurses in advanced training courses in the techniques and rules for collecting capillary and venous blood using vacuum systems and microtainers, with the subsequent issuance of a certificate.

Compliance with the rules of the preanalytical stage will minimize laboratory errors.

Table 1. Results of a comparative analysis of hematological parameters when taking different volumes of capillary blood into tubes with K2EDTA

Table 2. Results of a comparative analysis of hematological parameters when taking different volumes of capillary blood into tubes with K3EDTA

You can read the full version of the article here"

Literature

• 1. Comparative Evaluation of the BD Microtainer® Contact-Activated Lancet (High Flow, Blue) with Other Market-leading Lancets for Blood Flow and Ease of Use during Finger Puncture Procedures // VS7607?WHITE PAPER (2008).
• 2. Comparison of BD Microtainer® Contact-Activated Lancet (Low Flow) with BD Microtainer® Genie™, LifeScan OneTouch® SureSoft™ Gentle, and SurgiLance™ One-Step PLUS Safety Lancets for Comfort, Ease of Use, and Blood Volume // VS7499?WHITE PAPER (2006).
• 3. A Comparison of BD Microtainer® MAP Microtube for Automated Process with the BD Microtainer® Tube with Microgard™ Closure for Routine Hematology Testing on the Beckman Coulter® LH 750 Over Time // VS8114?WHITE PAPER (2010).
• 4. Comparison of BD Microtainer® PST™Amber Tubes with BD Microgard™ Closure to BD Microtainer® PST™ Clear Tubes with FloTop Collector for visual and Total Bilirubin // VS5815 (2004).
• 5. Sang Hyuk Park, Hyun-Sook Chi, Mi-Ok Choi, Borae G. Park, Seongsoo Jang and Chan-Jeoung Park. Improved turnaround time for neonatal hematology profile tests (complete blood count) using a new microcollection tube // Clin. Chem. Lab. Med. 2011; 49(6):1083–1085.
• 6. Parul Singla, Anuj Anand Parkash, Jayshree Bhattacharjee. Preanalytical Error Occurrence Rate in Clinical Chemistry Laboratory of a Public Hospital in India // Clin. Lab. 2011; 57:749–752.
• 7. Shah V., Taddio A., Kulasekaran K., O'Brien L., Kelly E. Evaluation of a New Lancet Device (BD QuikHeel) on Pain Response and Success of Procedure in Term Neonates // Arch. pediatrician adolesc. med. 2003; 157.

Authors T. G. Skorokhodova, S. V. Matushkina, D. A. Grishchenko.

Centralized clinical diagnostic laboratory, Krasnoyarsk Federal State Budgetary Institution "Federal Center for Cardiovascular Surgery" of the Ministry of Health of Russia, Krasnoyarsk

Source Scientific and practical journal “Clinical and Laboratory Consilium”, No. 1 (45) February 2013

Tags: Blood test, Hematology, Diagnostics, Blood, Laboratory, Medicine, Test tubes

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Instructions for using Accu-Chek FastClix

How to use the lancet? To obtain a drop of blood you must:

• Conduct preliminary preparations. Wash your hands with warm water and soap and wipe dry. This promotes hygiene and better blood circulation. The puncture is made on the surface of the fingertips on the side, where there is minimal pain.
• Depth selection. There is a puncture depth regulator on the cap of the device. When using the device for the first time, set it to the mark with value 2. After that, check whether you did it correctly.
• Taking blood. Press the cocking button all the way. The readiness of the device for operation is determined by the yellow eye in the transparent window of the shutter button. Press the device against your fingertip and press the shutter button.

If a drop of blood does not form, increase the depth of the puncture and repeat the steps again.

Rules for the disposal of scarifiers

Regardless of how much a medical device costs or how high quality it is, it must be disposed of correctly. It is strictly forbidden to throw waste material into trash cans or trash cans. They can become a source of infection for other people with dangerous diseases. According to the level of danger, used scarifiers belong to group B. There are certain requirements for disposal for them:

1. Preliminary disinfection. The most common methods are sterilization and heat treatment.
2. Place in a trash container in packaged form.
3. Reuse of consumables is not provided. After use, they turn into ordinary garbage.

Types of lancets for glucometer

These devices are used to draw blood from a finger or earlobe and consist of a sterile needle inserted into a handle. The manufacturer of the device describes in detail how to use the lancet in the attached instructions.

All lancets are divided into two types:

• Automatic - a device with replaceable needles that automatically determines the depth of the puncture and draws blood. Equipped with protection - you cannot use the same needle twice. Works only in contact with the surface of the skin. After using the needles, the drum with them needs to be replaced.

• Universal - consists of a small needle and practically fits any glucometer, otherwise the packaging indicates the types to which it is not suitable. For protection, reliability and convenience, devices are often available with a protective cap and a piercing depth regulator.

How to choose the right products

The range of products produced is so large that you can get lost in its diversity. Experts advise paying attention to the following product parameters:

1. Easy to use.
2. Painless procedure.
3. High-quality material made. To avoid infection with various infectious agents, you should choose models made from high-quality medical steel.
4. Sharpening. It should be ultra-thin, laser, triangular.
5. Sterility. To do this, the model must be equipped with a special protective cap.
6. Tetrahedral square base. Increases the degree of comfort during operation.
7. Availability of silicone coating. The punctures are painless and the possibility of injury is minimized.

Lancets for the Van Touch Select Plus glucometer

For a compact and easy-to-use glucometer from this company, they use a special device for piercing the skin, which regulates the depth of the puncture. Let's look at how to use lancets for a glucometer of this model, step by step:

1. Wash your hands thoroughly and wipe dry.
2. Insert a new lancet into the handle and set the puncture depth.
3. Insert a test strip and the device will automatically turn on.
4. Place the piercing pen on the side of your fingertip and press the button.
5. The appearance of a flashing drop on the screen signals that the device is ready for operation.
6. Apply the strip to a drop of blood on your finger and it will be automatically absorbed. After a few seconds, the result will be displayed on the screen.

After removing the test, the device will turn off on its own.

Additional functions of the meter

Typically, the device only measures the blood glucose concentration using a preset method. The kit includes the device itself, a set of test strips for the first time and a lancet for piercing the skin.

More expensive models come with statistical options, including separating measurements taken before and after meals. This is convenient for those who forget to fill out self-monitoring diaries.

A glucometer for an elderly or visually impaired person may have a voice assistant or a backlit display. The additional expense in this case is justified. You can also invest in an option with an auto-lancer, because not everyone has the fortitude to do it manually.

Options such as the ability to communicate with a computer or smartphone, the presence of extra control buttons and a timer are unimportant. Some sugar meters also analyze cholesterol levels.

Features and benefits of automatic lancets

Some time ago, a metal “pen” was commonly used to draw blood. The procedure was accompanied by pain and burning, and caused fear in children. Modern automatic lancets, which are much more convenient to use, do not cause pain, ensure safety and make the procedure quick and comfortable. The device is closed with a cap and stored in a special case.

Before use, the cap is unscrewed, the needle extends when you press the button or when it comes into contact with the surface of the dermis. After completing the procedure, the needle is blocked in the body, which prevents the instrument from being reused.

The advantages of automatic lancets include:

• Lack of the human factor - strong or insufficient physical effort, hand trembling.
• Safety for patients - reuse is excluded.
• Ease of use - no special training required.
• Non-hazardous for medical staff - the needle is protected and blocked after drawing blood.
• The devices are very convenient and easy to use. Even children quickly learn how to use the lancet and are able to use them independently.
• Comfort – thin needles with a special sharpening do not cause pain, you can safely use the device for infants, after the puncture there is no irritation on the finger.
• The needles are ready for use and do not require additional processing or sterilization.

There are a large number of companies that produce these products. It is in great demand in medicine. The price of the device is reasonable; anyone can purchase it.

Device coding

This is a procedure on which the accuracy of the results depends. It allows you to bring the device itself and the test strips that come with it into maximum compliance. Older models required manual coding. It was replaced by electronic chips.

The most advanced devices do not require coding. It occurs automatically when the test strip enters the housing. The glucometer reads the code and configures itself.

No Coding technology was developed because it became apparent that most patients were not completing the necessary adjustments. The coding procedure cannot be ignored, as this reduces the accuracy of measurements. As a result, it is not possible to accurately determine the dose of insulin that needs to be administered to the patient.

Restrictions

When purchasing lancets, many people ask whether there are any restrictions on their use and whether one lancet can be used several times. The attached instructions state that:

• Do not use the device if the protective cap is missing or damaged.
• The needle is intended for one-time use only. It is forbidden to use the lancet more than once. For each puncture, you must use a new sterile needle.
• The device is intended for individual use only.
• To ensure the safety of infection, disposal is carried out with the cap tightly latched, observing safety precautions.
• Keep out of the reach of children.

Please remember that the device cannot be used after the expiration date.

Rating of the best devices

A high-quality glucometer can only be purchased at a pharmacy or medical equipment store that has the appropriate license. There are numerous manufacturers on the market that receive positive reviews. Their ranking is as follows:

Tokareva Lyudmila Georgievna, therapist, medical offices 36.6

THERE ARE CONTRAINDICATIONS, BEFORE USE YOU MUST CONSULT WITH A SPECIALIST

How often should lancets be changed?

All needles are automatic and universal; it is recommended in all instructions for the glucometer to use them only once and then change them. Lancets are sterile, but after blood collection they lose this property. To avoid serious consequences, it is necessary to replace the lancet after use.

For this:

• Automatic needles are equipped with additional protection that prevents the patient from reusing them. Therefore, they are considered reliable and safe. It only takes a few seconds to draw blood. And you already know how to use a lancet.
• In the case of universal needles, this option is not available. Many diabetics who need to draw blood more than once a day use the devices repeatedly to save money. But they take risks and violate the instructions.

In addition, each time the needle becomes dull, the puncture becomes more painful. And in the area of ​​damage to the skin, inflammation may begin.

Frequency of replacement of consumables

How often should I change the lancets in my blood glucose meter? All manufacturers and doctors unanimously insist on single use of all types of scarifiers. A needle closed with a protective cap in its original packaging is considered sterile. After a puncture, traces of biomaterial remain on it, which means there is a possibility of the development of microorganisms that can infect the body and distort the measurement results.

In the case of automatic lancets, their reuse is simply impossible, since the special protective system does not allow the puncture procedure to be repeated.

Taking into account the human factor, which ignores recommendations in favor of saving, this type of lancets is the most reliable. Often in lancing pens, diabetics do not change the lancet until it becomes completely dull. Taking into account all the risks, it is acceptable to use one needle during the day, although after the second puncture the needle becomes noticeably dull, and the chances of getting a painful lump at the puncture site increase.