Air Ambulance Upgrades Blood Glucose Monitoring System

Cega Air Ambulance has recently upgraded its blood glucose monitoring system to use the advanced Accu-Chek Inform II test strips from Roche. Ensuring accurate and reliable results across a wide range of glucose levels,
these easy to use blood glucose test strips provide the performance criteria necessary for monitoring critically ill patients prior to, during and after emergency flight transfers.

“We require a reliable, easy to use, professional tool for blood glucose measurement,” commented CEGA Senior Flight Nurse, Stuart Cox. “After reviewing all the kits that are available on the market, we felt that the Roche
Accu-Chek Inform II test strips best met our requirements for high quality patient care in the air ambulance environment. The user interface is very simple and straightforward to use anywhere and by any of our trained staff. In addition, the strips have a very good range compared to other systems, giving accurate results at both high and low glucose levels, which is essential for patient safety.”

Stress-induced insulin resistance and hyperglycaemia is common in critically ill patients and so close monitoring of blood glucose levels is an important part of their care. Studies have shown that maintenance of appropriate glycaemic control in such patients improves morbidity and mortality.

“Providing international medical assistance, including the transportation of critical care patients around Europe, we use the Accu-Chek Inform II glucose strips to assess patients prior to the flight to make sure they are stable; during the transfer to monitor them and guide any necessary treatment; and then after the flight to assess their status before handing them over to the next medical team. The accuracy of the Accu-Chek Inform II strips ensures that patients get the right care at the right time, and we can have confidence in the results.”

The Accu-Chek Inform II test strips have undergone extensive evaluation, including studies at over 30 external sites as well as thorough internal testing6. The results of these evaluations demonstrate that the Accu-Chek Inform II strips provide accurate and reliable blood glucose measurements under a variety conditions, including wide haematocrit and environmental ranges and in presence of maltose. Furthermore, the strips require a minimal sample volume of just 0.6μl and deliver accurate results from alternative sampling sites, such as the palm and forearm.

“The Accu-Chek Inform II strips mirror our needs for air ambulance work,” concludes Stuart. “They are well  researched, with evidence-based performance. We also value the after sales and technical support we have received from Roche, which has been invaluable in the training of our staff.”