Air ambulance firm strengthens blood glucose monitoring

Published: 2-Mar-2012

CEGA Air Ambulance adopts roche testing strips to boost patient care

A new blood glucose monitoring system is helping a UK-based air ambulance team improve ist management of critically-ill patients during emergency flight transfers.

CEGA Air Ambulance, a leading third-party provider specialising in transporting patients injured or taken ill while on holiday or working overseas, has upgraded to Accu-Chek Inform II testing strips from Roche.

“We require a reliable, easy-to-use, professional tool for blood glucose measurement,” said senior flight nurse, Stuart Cox.

“After reviewing all the kits available on the market, we felt 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 the care process. 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 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,“ said Cox. “The accuracy of the strips ensures patients get the right care at the right time, and we can have confidence in the results.”

The Accu-Chek Inform II test strips provide accurate measurements under a variety conditions, including wide haematocrit and environmental ranges and in the presence of maltose. They also require a minimal sample volume of just 0.6µl and deliver accurate results from alternative sampling sites, such as the palm and forearm.

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