Evaluation of the impact of hematocrit and other interference on the accuracy of hospital-based glucose meters
DIABETES TECHNOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS Volume 10, Number 2, 2008 Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. DOI: 10.1089/dia.2007.0257
Evaluation of the Impact of Hematocrit and Other
Interference on the Accuracy of Hospital-Based
BRAD S. KARON, M.D., Ph.D.,1 LAURIE GRIESMANN, A.S.,1 RENEE SCOTT, B.S.,1
SANDRA C. BRYANT, M.S.,2 JEFFREY A. DUBOIS, Ph.D.,3 TERRY L. SHIREY, Ph.D.,3
STEVEN PRESTI, B.S.,3 and PAULA J. SANTRACH, M.D.1
ABSTRACT Background: Most glucose meter comparisons to date have focused on performance specifi-
cations likely to impact subcutaneous dosing of insulin. We evaluated four hospital-based glu-cose meter technologies for accuracy, precision, and analytical interferences likely to be en-countered in critically ill patients, with the goal of identifying and discriminating glucose meterperformance specifications likely to impact intensive intravenous insulin dosing. Methods: Precision, both within-run and day-to-day, was evaluated on all four glucose me-
ters. Accuracy (bias) of the meters and analytical interference were evaluated by comparing re-sults obtained on whole blood specimens to plasma samples obtained from these whole bloodspecimens run on a hexokinase reference method. Results: Precision was acceptable and differed little between meters. There were significant
differences in the degree to which the meters correlated with the reference hexokinase method. Ascorbic acid showed significant interference with three of the four meters. Hematocrit also af-fected the correlation between whole blood and plasma hexokinase glucose on three of the fourglucose meters tested, with the magnitude of this interference also varying by glucose metertechnology. Conclusions: Correlation to plasma hexokinase values and hematocrit interference are the
main variables that differentiate glucose meters. Meters that correlate with plasma glucose mea-sured by a reference method over a wide range of glucose concentrations and minimize the ef-fects of hematocrit will allow better glycemic control for critically ill patients. INTRODUCTION
travenous insulin; however, target glucose con-centrations are narrower for this patient popu-
SEVERAL RECENT STUDIES have suggested that lation than for patients with diabetes using
tight glucose control (maintenance of blood
handheld meters to dose subcutaneous insulin.
glucose between 80 and 110 mg/dL), accom-
In addition, patients in the intensive care unit
plished via intensive intravenous insulin ther-
(ICU) are on multiple medications, and often
apy, decreases mortality in critically ill pa-
have abnormal hematocrit and/or oxygen ten-
tients.1,2 Use of handheld glucose meters allows
sion, all of which may affect the performance
for rapid treatment decisions for patients on in-
1Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology and 2Division of Biostatistics, Mayo Clinic College of Medi-
cine, Rochester Minnesota; and 3Nova Biomedical, Waltham, Massachusetts. KARON ET AL.
Oxygen tension and pH may affect a limited
correlation to definitive methods that use mass
number of glucose meter technologies.3–5 Var-
spectrometry.11 Four glucose meter technolo-
ious medications used in the critical care set-
gies were chosen as representing the major
ting and patient hematocrit have been found to
hospital-based technologies currently avail-
affect the performance of almost all glucose me-
able: Accu-Chek® Inform® (Roche Diagnos-
ter technologies available.6–9 Multiple studies
tics), which uses a glucose dehydrogenase-
have found that glucose meters demonstrate a
based amperometric strip; Precision PCx®
positive bias at low hematocrit and a negative
(Abbott Diabetes, Alameda, CA), which uses
bias at high hematocrit, regardless of the me-
glucose dehydrogenase amperometric detec-
ter technology used.7–9 One new glucose meter
tion; SureStepFlexx® (LifeScan, Milpitas, CA),
technology with hematocrit measurement and
which uses a photometric glucose oxidase de-
correction was recently introduced to address
tection system; and StatStrip (Nova Biomed-
ical, Waltham, MA), which uses a modified glu-
Besides analytical interference, the other ma-
cose oxidase-based amperometric test system
jor concern in monitoring tight glycemic control
in the ICU is the accuracy of glucose measure-ment when tighter ranges of glucose control are
desired. Since hexokinase glucose methods
Within-run precision. Venous heparinized
have been found to be suitable for use as refer-
whole blood was drawn 12–24 h in advance of
ence methods for glucose determination,11 mul-
performing the study. Aerated blood was di-
tiple studies have examined the correlation be-
vided into three 2-mL aliquots, which received
tween glucose meter whole blood and plasma
different volumes of a concentrated glucose so-
hexokinase glucose. The degree to which glu-
lution such that the aliquots had 20–60,
cose meters correlate with plasma hexokinase
200–300, and 450–550 mg/dL glucose. Each ali-
measurement of glucose varies tremendously
quot was then tested 20 times on each meter.
between glucose meter technologies,12 and cor-relation with laboratory hexokinase measure-
Day-to-day precision. Two levels of control
ment in the hypoglycemic and hyperglycemic
material manufactured by each glucose meter
ranges is poor with most meters currently avail-
vendor were tested in duplicate, three times
able.13 Thus there is still significant concern
per day for 5 days (total of 30 readings for each
about the use of glucose meters for manage-
control) on each meter. The controls used in-
ment of tight glycemic control in the ICU.14
cluded: Nova Biomedical StatStrip glucose
The aim of the current study was to compare
controls (lot 0413911081, range 48–78 mg/dL;
four hospital-based glucose meter technologies
lot 0414611083, range 247–317 mg/dL), J & J
for accuracy compared to a reference plasma
LifeScan SureStepFlexx controls (lot 6C1F64,
hexokinase method, determine drug interfer-
range 35–59 mg/dL; lot 6C4F67, range 270–
ences, and measure the effect of hematocrit on
404 mg/dL), Abbott PCx controls (lot 17692,
the correlation between glucose meter and hex-
range 34–64 mg/dL; lot 17697, range 224–374
okinase glucose over a wide range of glucose
mg/dL); and Roche Accu-Chek controls (lot
60250, range 46–76 mg/dL; lot 60251, range287–389 mg/dL). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Patient specimens for method correlations
rinized (23.5 units/mL) arterial whole blood
The reference assay was plasma glucose us-
specimens obtained for blood gas analyses.
ing the hexokinase method on the Roche Inte-
These specimens were obtained within 90 min
gra 400 Analyzer (Roche Diagnostics, Indi-
of collection in the ICU. Hematocrit (%) values
anapolis, IN). This was chosen as the reference
for these specimens were calculated from he-
moglobin values obtained from the ABL 725
been found to be suitable for use as reference
blood gas analyzer (Radiometer, Westlake,
methods for glucose determination with close
OH). One hundred thirty-three whole blood
COMPARISON OF HOSPITAL GLUCOSE METERS
specimens (unspiked) were analyzed by the
For the studies using variable hematocrit lev-
four handheld glucose analyzers (assembly-
els, 30 mL of fresh whole blood from a single
line set up) and immediately (within 5 min)
donor was allowed to sit at room temperature
spun down in order to obtain the plasma sam-
for 12–24 h before division into three aliquots
ples for analysis on the Roche Integra 400 An-
of 5 mL per specimen. The three 5-mL aliquots
alyzer. Specimens from 52 additional patients
were each brought to a different concentration
were spiked with various volumes of glucose
of glucose using the concentrated glucose so-
concentrate (20,000 mg/dL) and analyzed sim-
lution. Each of these three 5-mL aliquots were
ilarly to the unspiked specimens in an effort to
further divided into five aliquots of 1 mL. Cen-
extend the glucose range for method compari-
trifugation, using a Fisher Scientific (Pitts-
son purposes. The study design was approved
burgh, PA) Mini-Centrifuge, and plasma ad-
by the Mayo Clinic Institutional Review Board.
justments (taking some plasma from one tubeand putting it into another) resulted in five ali-quots with different hematocrit (%) levels for
Interference and hematocrit studies from donor
each concentration of glucose. All specimens
were rocked for at least 10 min and then rapidly
For the interference studies, freshly drawn,
analyzed, within 10 min, on each of the glucose
heparinized venous blood drawn from healthy
meters (assembly-line fashion) in replicates of
donors was allowed to sit at room temperature
six for each glucose meter and strip device.
for 12–24 h before concentrated solutions of
Hematocrit (%) values were obtained for each
glucose and/or interfering substances were
of the prepared specimens in this study using
added. The concentrated solutions of glucose
and the interfering substances were gravimet-
trifuge (Separation Technology, Altamonte
rically prepared. These concentrates were pre-
Springs, FL). Specimens were centrifuged in or-
pared as follows: 20,000 mg/dL glucose in wa-
der to remove a plasma sample for duplicate
analysis on the Roche Integra 400 Analyzer.
1,000 mg/dL ascorbic acid in water, 10,000mg/dL D(ϩ)-maltose monohydrate in water,
2,000 mmol/L lactate in water, 3,000 mmol/Lbeta-hydroxybutyrate in water, 12,000 IU/dL
For interference experiments, results are ex-
heparin in water, and 100 mg/dL epinephrine
pressed as mean change from baseline glucose
in water. Immediately prior to each interfer-
(meter glucose with interfering substance – me-
ter glucose at baseline) in mg/dL for experi-
spiked with glucose concentrate bringing them
ments where glucose concentration was ad-
into predetermined ranges. This was followed
justed to less than 100 mg/dL. Mean change
by division of each of these aliquots into three
from baseline glucose in percent [(meter glu-
volumes, two of which were then spiked with
cose with interfering substance – meter glucose
the interfering material. Concentrations of each
at baseline)/meter glucose at baseline ϫ 100]
interferant tested were chosen to reflect (at
was used when glucose was adjusted to Ͼ100
maximum concentration tested) five to 10 times
mg/dL (n ϭ 6 all experiments). A clinically sig-
the therapeutic drug level, similar to what has
nificant interference effect was defined as any
been described previously.6 Lactate and beta-
concentration of interferant that changed the
hydroxybutyrate were tested at concentrations
mean baseline (no interfering substance added)
that would reflect extreme acidosis in critically
glucose value by more than 10 mg/dL (glucose
ill patients. All samples were rocked for 10–20
Ͻ100 mg/dL) or 10% (glucose Ͼ100 mg/dL).
min. Glucose concentration was then analyzed
in each specimen with six strips from each of
manipulated, the mean glucose difference (me-
the four measuring technologies. After the test-
ter glucose – reference glucose, for glucose
ing on the strips was completed, the specimens
Ͻ100 mg/dL) or glucose percent difference
were immediately centrifuged and sent for du-
[(meter glucose – reference glucose)/reference
plicate analysis on the Roche Integra 400 Ana-
glucose ϫ 100), for glucose Ͼ100 mg/dL] was
calculated for each meter technology. Statisti-
KARON ET AL.
TABLE 1. WITHIN-RUN AND DAY-TO-DAY PRECISION FOR GLUCOSE METERS, IN PERCENT CV
n ϭ number of replicates tested.
cal significance of the effect of hematocrit was
glucose value was 168 mg/dL for the entire
assessed using the two-sided unpaired t test,
sample set (n ϭ 185), and the range of glucose
comparing mean glucose difference or mean
values covered was 39–574 mg/dL. Linear re-
glucose percent difference between the lowest
gression analysis demonstrated a slope of 0.90
and an intercept of Ͻ10 mg/dL glucose for theStatStrip and the Accu-Chek meters, while thePCx and SureStepFlexx meters had lower
slopes and higher intercepts (Table 2). Medianbias from the reference method (meter value
minus reference value) was of lower absolutemagnitude for the StatStrip and SureStepFlexx
Within-run and day-to-day precision assessed
meters than for either the Accu-Chek or PCx
at multiple glucose levels as described above re-
meters (Table 2). There were also significantly
sulted in coefficient of variation (CV) values of
less than 5% for all meters tested with the ex-
method on the StatStrip (170 of 185) compared
ception of day-to-day precision at low glucose
to the SureStepFlexx (134 of 185), Accu-Chek
on the PCx meter, which was 5.1% (Table 1).
(127 of 185), or PCx (79 of 185) methods.
Exclusion of the 52 samples spiked with ex-
ogenous glucose resulted in slightly higher
Correlation between glucose meter results
slopes and lower intercepts for all four me-
and the plasma hexokinase reference method
ters (Table 2). Exclusion of the spiked sam-
was performed by analyzing 133 fresh lithium
ples also resulted in median bias that was
heparin arterial blood specimens and an addi-
of similar absolute magnitude for the Accu-
tional 52 lithium heparin arterial blood speci-
Chek, PCx, and SureStepFlexx. Median bias
mens that were spiked with exogenous glucose
on the StatStrip was smaller than median bias
for a total of 185 specimens. Mean reference
on the three other meter technologies whether
TABLE 2. CORRELATION DATA FOR GLUCOSE METERS VERSUS REFERENCE
PLASMA HEXOKINASE METHOD (N ϭ 185 OR 133)
The n ϭ 185 data set includes 133 unaltered clinical specimens and 52 specimens spiked with exogenous glucose;
then n ϭ 133 data set includes only unaltered clinical specimens. COMPARISON OF HOSPITAL GLUCOSE METERS
or not the 52 spiked samples were excluded
and highest hematocrit tested. Changes in
mean glucose percent difference between low-est and highest hematocrit tested were also sta-
Effect of hematocrit on glucose meter accuracy
tistically significant (P Ͻ 0.001) for the Accu-Chek, PCx, and SureStepFlexx technologies at
higher glucose levels and marginally signifi-
ally adjusting the hematocrit of donor sodium
cant (P ϭ 0.0203) at a glucose concentration of
heparin blood at glucose concentrations ad-
483 mg/dL for the StatStrip (Fig. 1).
justed to 54, 247, and 483 mg/dL. At low glu-cose (54 mg/dL), mean glucose difference
Effect of hematocrit on percentage bias in
changed by more than 10 mg/dL between the
lowest and highest hematocrit values tested onthe PCx and SureStepFlexx meters. At higher
To further investigate the effect of hematocrit
(247 and 483 mg/dL) glucose concentrations,
on glucose meter accuracy, glucose meter per-
the Accu-Chek, PCx, and SureStepFlexx meters
cent bias versus hematocrit was plotted for the
demonstrated greater than 10% change in the
133 patient specimen correlation data set de-
mean glucose percentage difference between
scribed previously (Fig. 2). There is a clear trend
the lowest and highest hematocrit values (Fig.
for negative bias associated with increasing
1). At low glucose changes in mean glucose dif-
hematocrit for the PCx and SureStepFlexx me-
ference were statistically significant for the PCx
ters (Fig. 2). Regression analysis on this data set
and SureStepFlexx (P Ͻ 0.001) between lowest
resulted in slopes and intercepts (percent bias
erence (%) erence (mg/dL) Mean glucose diff Mean glucose diff Hematocrit (%) Hematocrit (%)
(a) Mean glucose difference (meter glucose Ϫ erence (%)
reference glucose) and (b) and (c) mean glucose percent
difference [(meter glucose – reference glucose)/reference glucose ϫ 100) as a function of hematocrit at glucose con- centrations of (a) 54 mg/dL, (b) 247 mg/dL, and (c) 483
mg/dL. Each point represents the mean Ϯ standard de-
viation of the mean glucose difference or mean glucose
Mean glucose diff Hematocrit (%) KARON ET AL. Hematocrit (%) Hematocrit (%) FIG. 2a, c.
vs. hematocrit) that were significantly different
dium heparin blood with glucose concentra-
from zero (P Ͻ 0.0001) for the PCx and
tions that had been adjusted to 44, 145, 244, and
SureStepFlexx meters. For the StatStrip and
341 mg/dL, respectively. No concentration of
Accu-Chek meters, the slope of percent bias
acetaminophen changed the mean baseline (no
versus hematocrit was not significantly differ-
acetaminophen added) glucose level by more
ent from zero (P Ͼ 0.05). The calculated slopes,
than 10 mg/dL (for experiments performed at
intercepts, and correlation coefficient (r2) val-
44 mg/dL glucose) or 10% (for experiments
ues for the regression of percent bias versus
performed at 145, 244, and 341 mg/dL, re-
hematocrit are shown in Figure 2. Inclusion of
spectively) on any of the meters. Thus acet-
the 52 specimens spiked with exogenous glu-
aminophen did not produce a clinically signif-
cose did not change the slopes or intercepts for
icant interference on any of the four meter
percent bias versus hematocrit but significantly
decreased the correlation coefficient (r2) for
Lactate (final sample concentrations of 0, 10,
and 20 mmol/L) was added to donor sodiumheparin blood with glucose concentration ad-
Effect of interfering substances on glucose meter
justed to 29, 143, 255, and 357 mg/dL, respec-
tively. Similar to acetaminophen, lactate (0–20
Acetaminophen (final sample concentrations
mmol/L) did not change mean baseline glu-
of 0, 5, and 10 mg/dL) was added to donor so-
cose by more than 10 mg/dL (at 29 mg/dL glu-
COMPARISON OF HOSPITAL GLUCOSE METERS Hematocrit (%) Hematocrit (%)
Glucose percent bias [(meter glucose minus reference glucose)/reference glucose ϫ 100] for the four strip
methods are plotted against sample hematocrit values for the 133 patient sample set (no sample manipulation): (a) StatStrip, (b) Accu-Chek, (c) PCx, and (d) SureStep. Slope and intercept of the best-fit line for percent bias versus hematocrit and correlation coefficient are also shown.
cose) or 10% (at higher glucose) on any of the
trations, ascorbic acid produced a clinically sig-
four meter technologies tested. Beta-hydroxy-
nificant (Ͼ10%) interference on the Accu-Chek
butyrate (final sample concentrations 0, 7.5,
and PCx glucose meters (Fig. 3). None of the
and 30 mmol/L) also did not significantly af-
meter technologies was significantly affected
fect any of the four glucose meter technologies
when added to donor blood adjusted to 32, 135,
Maltose (final sample concentrations of 0,
100, and 200 mg/dL) was added to donor so-
Ascorbic acid (final sample concentrations of
dium heparin blood with glucose concentra-
0, 5, and 10 mg/dL) was added to donor so-
tions adjusted to 40, 109, 208, and 300 mg/dL,
dium heparin blood with glucose concentration
respectively. Maltose produced a clinically sig-
adjusted to 70, 141, 237, and 352 mg/dL, re-
nificant interference only on the Accu-Chek
spectively. At low glucose (70 mg/dL), ascor-
bic acid produced a clinically significant (Ͼ10
threefold, twofold, 1.5-fold, and 1.4-fold in-
mg/dL) interference with the Accu-Chek, PCx,
creases in mean baseline (no maltose added)
and SureStepFlexx glucose meters (Fig. 3). At
glucose at 40, 109, 208, and 300 mg/dL glucose
higher (141 and 237 mg/dL) glucose concen-
KARON ET AL. e in baseline glucose (%) -10 e in baseline glucose (mg/dL) Ascorbic acid (mg/dL) Ascorbic acid (mg/dL) e in baseline glucose (%) -10 Ascorbic acid (mg/dL)
(a) Change from baseline glucose (meter glucose in presence of ascorbic acid – meter glucose at baseline)
versus concentration of ascorbic acid using a specimen adjusted to 70 mg/dL. (b) and (c) Change in baseline glucose expressed in percent change [(meter glucose with ascorbic acid minus meter glucose at baseline)/meter glucose at baseline ϫ 100] using specimens adjusted to (b) 141 mg/dL and (c) 237 mg/dL glucose. Each point represents the mean of six measurements (strips). The effect of ascorbic acid on the reference method is also shown.
While epinephrine levels up to 1 g/dL had
ters correlated with a plasma hexokinase refer-
little effect on any of the four glucose meters,
ence method differed between meters, as has
the reference hexokinase procedure was af-
been observed previously.12 The StatStrip and
fected significantly (Ͼ10 mg/dL at 32 mg/dL
Accu-Chek meter technologies demonstrated
glucose and Ͼ10% at the 105 mg/dL glucose
the closest correlation with hexokinase plasma
level) by epinephrine. Heparin at 20 units/mL
glucose based on assessment of the slope and
had Ͻ10% effect on any of the technologies
intercept calculated by linear regression, while
tested at a glucose level of 101 mg/dL.
the StatStrip and SureStepFlexx meters dem-onstrated the lowest absolute median bias(Table 2). Since the StatStrip, Accu-Chek, and
DISCUSSION
SureStepFlexx use different measurementtechnologies, it appears that calibration of the
Precision of glucose meters was acceptable
strips by the individual manufacturers, rather
and differed little between meter technologies
than measurement technology, impacts the de-
(Table 1). The extent to which the glucose me-
gree to which whole blood measurement cor-
COMPARISON OF HOSPITAL GLUCOSE METERS
relates with laboratory hexokinase methods.
on the Accu-Chek within 10% of the reference
Our findings are consistent with one previous
hexokinase method, consistent with the results
study of the PCx device,15 which found that the
obtained from capillary blood samples in pa-
slope and intercept of whole blood capillary
tients undergoing intravenous insulin therapy.
versus venous plasma (hexokinase) glucose
The improved performance of the StatStrip, as
were 0.85 and 12 mg/dL, nearly identical to the
results obtained in our study using the non-
plasma hexokinase assay, should result in
fewer insulin dosing errors for patients on both
Correlation with the reference method was
subcutaneous and intravenous insulin.
adversely impacted by inclusion of samples
Hematocrit effect on glucose meter accuracy
spiked with exogenous glucose for all meter
(correlation with hexokinase plasma values)
technologies (Table 2). This may be due to the
was examined in two different experiments.
wider range of glucose concentrations covered
Using sodium heparin blood pools that were
by these experiments, but analytical artifacts or
manipulated to obtain hematocrit values be-
interferences created by the spiking procedure
tween 25% and Ͼ60%, and glucose concentra-
cannot be excluded. For this reason laboratory-
tions between 54 and 483 mg/dL, it is clear that
based evaluation of meter devices should spec-
the four meter technologies have differing sen-
ify whether samples have been manipulated or
sitivity to hematocrit (Fig. 1). The hematocrit
spiked, and data summaries for both spiked
effect can also be observed in the experiment
and nonspiked data sets may be useful. Al-
performed with fresh arterial whole blood
though laboratory-based experiments are pow-
specimens, where a significant trend between
erful because of the range of glucose, hemat-
hematocrit and percent bias was observed for
ocrit, and interfering substance concentrations
the PCx and SureStepFlexx meters (Fig. 2).
that can be included, both laboratory and clin-
Since hematocrit can vary widely in critically
ical evaluation of devices is necessary to get a
ill patients, glucose meter technologies that are
complete picture of device performance.
insensitive to the effects of hematocrit should
The clinical significance of differences be-
also improve accuracy and decrease insulin
tween whole blood and laboratory plasma glu-
cose can be demonstrated by the number of
Finally, the effects of various medications
samples within 10% or 15% of the reference
commonly used in the critical care arena were
method. Using Monte Carlo simulation Boyd
tested for analytical interference on all the glu-
and Bruns16 previously demonstrated that at
cose methods, similar to experiments that have
10% total error, 16–45% of sliding-scale insulin
been published previously.6 Lactate and beta-
doses would be in error, though small dosing
hydroxybutyrate had no impact on glucose me-
errors would predominate. Larger dosing er-
ter performance, similar to previous studies
rors were common when total error exceeded
that showed no effect of sample pH on most
10–15%.16 Significantly more samples on the
glucose meters.5 Acetaminophen, at levels up
StatStrip (170 of 185) fell within 10% of the ref-
to five to 10 times the therapeutic level, also did
not significantly impact the glucose meters.
(127 of 185), PCx (79 of 185), or SureSteppFlexx
This differs from one previous report on acet-
(134 of 185). In addition, significantly fewer val-
aminophen effects,6 though that study used
ues on the StatStrip differed by more than 15%
higher concentrations of acetaminophen and
from the reference method (two of 185) com-
was performed on a previous generation of glu-
pared to the Accu-Chek (26 of 185), PCx (58 of
185), or SureSteppFlexx (11 of 185) meters.
Ascorbic acid has been reported to interfere
One recent study of the Accu-Chek meter in
with all glucose meter technologies that have
patients on intravenous insulin found that 74%
been tested.6 We found that ascorbic acid in-
of capillary whole blood samples fell within
terfered with each of the glucose meters tested
10% of a reference plasma hexokinase assay, re-
with the exception of the StatStrip (Fig. 3). Mal-
sulting in common small dosing errors.17 Our
tose interference has been reported with glu-
study demonstrated 127 of 185 (69%) samples
cose dehydrogenase technologies18 and was
KARON ET AL.
found to be significant for the Accu-Chek me-
7. Chance J, Li D, Jones K, Dyer K, Nichols J: Technical
evaluation of five glucose meters with data manage-
In conclusion, we evaluated glucose meter
ment capabilities. Am J Clin Pathol 1999;111:547–556.
8. Louie R, Tang Z, Sutton D, Lee J, Kost G: Point-of-
correlation with a reference hexokinase method
care glucose testing. Arch Pathol Lab Med 2000;124:
and analytical interferences likely to be ob-
served in critical care patients on four currently
9. Tang Z, Lee J, Louie R, Kost G: Effects of different
available hospital glucose meter technologies.
hematocrit levels on glucose measurements with
Correlation of whole blood glucose to plasma
handheld meters for point-of-care testing. ArchPathol Lab Med 2000;124:1135–1140.
hexokinase reference methods continues to
10. Rao L, Jakubiak F, Sidwell J, Winkelman J, Snyder M:
vary between glucose meter manufacturers.
Accuracy evaluation of a new glucometer with auto-
Hematocrit had a significant impact on the cor-
mated hematocrit measurement and correction. Clin
relation between whole blood and plasma glu-
cose on most of the meters. The StatStrip glu-
11. Pelletier O, Arratoon C: Precision of glucose mea-
surements in control sera by isotope dilution/massspectrometry: proposed definitive method compared
with reference method. Clin Chem 1987;33:1397–1402.
range of glucose concentrations and was least
12. Chen E, Nichols J, Duh S, Hortin G: Performance eval-
significantly impacted by sample hematocrit
uation of blood glucose monitoring devices. Diabetes
and other interfering substances. This should
allow for better management of critically ill pa-
13. Khan A, Vasquez Y, Gray J, Wians F, Kroll M: The
variability of results between point-of-care testing
tients on tight glycemic control protocols.
glucose meters and the central laboratory analyzer. Arch Pathol Lab Med 2006;130:1527–1532.
14. Dungan K, Chapman J, Braithwaite SS, Buse J: Glu-
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
cose measurement: confounding issues in setting tar-gets for inpatient management. Diabetes Care 2007;
viding StatStrip, PCx, and SureSteppFlexx glu-
15. Miendje Deyi VY, Philippe M, Alexandre KC, De
Nayer P, Hermans MP: Performance evaluation of thePrecision PCx point-of-care blood glucose analyzerusing discriminant ratio methodology. Clin Chem
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DONCASTER PCT PRESCRIBING NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2008 Stronger warnings recommended for etoricoxib Following a review conducted as part of a licence Etoricoxib must not be used in patients extension application, the European Medicines whose blood pressure is persistently above Agency has recommended that the warnings and 140/90 mmHg contraindications for etoricoxib are strength
CURRICULUM VITAE – RAK, Janusz Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Oncology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada. Faculty of Health Sciences , Graduate Faculty of Hemostasis, Thrombembolism and Atherosclerosis. McMaster University. Associated Graduate Faculty at the Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph. Address. Henderson Research Centre. De