User's Manual

Checking Your Blood Glucose
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7
■ The FreeStyle® Control Solution
The FreeStyle® control solution (Figure 7-2) is a
red liquid that contains a fixed amount of glu-
cose and has three important uses:
• To ensure that your meter and test strips
are working together properly
• To check that you are following the correct
testing procedure
• To practice testing without having to use
your own blood
When to perform a control solution test
You should perform a control solution test:
• When you first get your OmniPod System, before doing a
blood glucose test
• When you open and begin using a new vial of test strips
• When you suspect that your meter or test strips are not work-
ing properly
• When you think your test results are not accurate, or if your
test results are not consistent with how you feel
• When you drop or damage your PDM or expose it to liquids
• When your healthcare provider advises you to do so
Check that the meter and test strips are working
A control solution test follows the same procedure as a blood
glucose test, except that you use a sample of control solution
instead of a drop of blood. (See “Performing a Blood Glucose
Test” later in this chapter.)
When you perform a control solution test, if the reading is within
the control solution acceptable range, the meter is working
properly.
Control solution expiration date
FreeStyle® control solution is good for 3 months after opening
the bottle, or until the expiration date printed on the label,
whichever comes first. Count forward 3 months from the date
you open a new bottle of control solution. This is your discard
date. Write this date on the side of the control solution bottle. For
example, if you open the control solution on January 15, count
forward 3 months to April 15. This is the discard date to record
on the bottle, and the date to discard it and begin using a new
bottle.
Ensure accurate control solution results
• Replace the cap on the control solution bottle immediately
after using it.
Figure 7-2