How to Calibrate the Ultra One Touch Diabetes Machine

Managing diabetes involves careful monitoring of blood glucose levels. The easiest way to do this is by using a machine which automatically reads blood glucose levels, such as the OneTouch Ultra monitor. To keep results accurate, the machine needs to be calibrated frequently. Generally, the machine should be calibrated once a week. Whenever the machine is dropped, a new vial of test strips should be used, or the results may be inconsistent or incorrect. Calibrating the machine is quite simple, and doesn't take very long.

Things You'll Need

• Control solution
• Test strips

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Instructions

• 1

  Locate the code number on the vial of test strips. This is a two-digit number which can be clearly identified.

• 2

  Insert a test strip into the machine, pushing it all the way into the slot. The machine should read the strip and display the same two-digit code.

• 3

  Press "C" on the machine while the code is showing to change the code if it is incorrect, or if the machine displays dashes rather than a code. Every press of "C" will increase the number by one. When the code is correct, do not press anything. After three seconds of inactivity, the machine will accept this code. If the code was correct from the start, simply wait three seconds.

• 4

  Shake the vial of control solution, and allow it to warm up to room temperature. Discard the first drop of solution.

• 5

  Insert a vial strip and wait for the machine to display a code.

• 6

  Press "C." "Ctl" should appear at the top of the display. This tells the machine you are performing a test, and stops it from including the result in your average glucose level calculations.

• 7

  Apply a drop of control solution to the top edge of the control strip, in the middle.

• 8

  Wait for the machine to display a result. It will count down from five to one, and then display a figure.

• 9

  Compare this result to the acceptable range on the control solution bottle.