What are Accu Chek Active Strips?

Accu Chek Active Strips are advanced blood glucose test strips designed for use with the Accu-Chek Active glucometer. They utilize biosensor technology to measure glucose levels in capillary blood with high precision.

1. Home Use (Self Monitoring of Blood Glucose)

• Daily blood sugar tracking
• Pre and post meal analysis
• Insulin dosage adjustment
• Detection of hypo/hyperglycemia
• Long-term diabetes tracking

2. Clinical & Hospital Use

• Point-of-care testing (POCT)
• ICU and emergency monitoring
• Routine inpatient glucose checks
• Outpatient consultation support

1. Insert strip into glucometer
2. Prick finger using lancet
3. Apply blood to strip
4. Wait 5 seconds
5. Read result on screen

Biosensor Technology (Glucose Dehydrogenase Method)

These strips utilize Glucose Dehydrogenase enzyme-based biosensor technology, which ensures high specificity for glucose molecules. This minimizes interference from substances like oxygen variations, making results more reliable in clinical settings.

Capillary Action Sampling

The strip design includes a wide capillary channel that allows blood to be drawn automatically into the test area. This improves usability for adult patients and reduces sampling errors.

Auto Coding System

Unlike older systems, these strips require no manual coding, eliminating one of the most common causes of inaccurate readings.

1. ICU & Critical Care Monitoring

In ICU settings, glucose fluctuations can significantly affect patient outcomes. These strips enable:

• Rapid bedside glucose checks
• Monitoring during insulin infusion therapy
• Immediate detection of hypoglycemia

2. Perioperative & Surgical Monitoring

During surgical procedures, maintaining stable glucose levels is critical. Accu Chek strips allow:

• Continuous intraoperative monitoring
• Reduced risk of surgical complications
• Real-time adjustments in glucose levels

3. Outpatient & Clinic Use

Doctors and clinicians use these strips for instant glucose readings during consultations, enabling:

• Immediate treatment decisions
• Medication adjustments
• Patient education with real-time data

The strips allow re-dosing within 10 seconds if the initial blood sample is insufficient. This feature reduces strip wastage and improves patient comfort, especially in hospital environments where frequent testing is required.

Each vial includes a color comparison chart that allows healthcare professionals to visually verify results. This acts as a backup validation method, especially useful in critical cases.

The strips support a hematocrit range of 20%–70%, making them suitable for:

• Anemic patients
• Polycythemia cases
• Neonatal patients

• Error: Low blood sample → Solution: Apply adequate drop
• Error: Expired strips → Solution: Check expiry
• Error: Incorrect storage → Solution: Store properly
• Error: Dirty hands → Solution: Wash before testing

Yes, these strips are ideal for home use due to:

• Simple operation (no coding)
• Quick results (5 seconds)
• Minimal blood requirement
• Portable and easy to use

Yes, due to ISO compliance and advanced biosensor technology, these strips provide:

• Clinically validated results
• High reproducibility
• Minimal interference

1. What is the primary use of Accu Chek Active Strips?

These strips are used for accurate measurement of blood glucose levels in patients with diabetes. They support both home-based monitoring and hospital-based point-of-care testing.

2. Are Accu Chek Active Strips accurate?

Yes, they meet ISO 15197:2013 standards and provide clinically reliable readings, making them suitable for both personal and professional use.

3. Can Accu Chek Strips be used with any glucometer?

No. These strips are specifically designed for Accu Chek Active glucometers and are not compatible with other models or brands.

4. What is the best time to check blood sugar?

• Fasting (morning)
• Before meals
• After meals
• Before bedtime

5. How many times should glucose be tested daily?

Depending on the condition:

• Type 1 Diabetes: 4–10 times/day
• Type 2 Diabetes: 1–4 times/day
• Hospital patients: As per clinical protocol

• Do not reuse strips
• Do not expose to moisture
• Avoid using expired strips
• Incorrect usage can lead to false readings
• Always follow infection control protocols in hospitals

Among global brands, Accu Chek (Roche) is considered one of the most reliable for glucose monitoring due to:

• High clinical accuracy
• Trusted global presence
• Advanced technology
• Ease of use

Accu Chek Active Strips represent a gold standard in blood glucose monitoring. Their combination of accuracy, speed, and ease of use makes them suitable for both home users and healthcare institutions.

For professionals, these strips provide reliable data for clinical decisions, while for patients, they enable effective self-management of diabetes.

Step-by-Step Clinical SOP

1. Verify patient identity and testing requirement
2. Ensure glucometer calibration and readiness
3. Use a new sterile lancet for each patient
4. Insert a fresh Accu Chek Active Strip
5. Collect capillary blood sample
6. Apply blood correctly to strip
7. Record results in patient chart or EMR
8. Dispose of biomedical waste safely

Modern diabetes care involves data tracking and digital health integration. Accu Chek systems support:

• Meter memory storage
• Trend analysis
• Integration with hospital EMR systems
• Remote patient monitoring

What Healthcare Providers Should Teach

• Correct finger-pricking technique
• Importance of regular monitoring
• Understanding glucose readings
• Diet and lifestyle correlation
• When to seek medical help

1. Pediatric Patients

• Use minimal blood sampling
• Ensure gentle handling
• Monitor frequently

2. Geriatric Patients

• Easy-to-handle strips beneficial
• Visual double-check helps accuracy

3. Critical Patients

• Continuous monitoring required
• Use validated protocols

• Rotate stock using FIFO (First In First Out)
• Check batch numbers regularly
• Train new staff on device usage
• Maintain optimal storage temperature