Veterans With Diabetes International

Tips on Testing & Insulin
Getting a Blood Sample from your Fingers
Getting a Blood Sample from Alternate Sites
Insulin Temperatures
Proper Disposal of Syringes and Lancets

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Getting a Blood Sample from your Fingers:
All meters vary in technique. Refer to your owner's manual for more information specific to your meter and strips.

Wash hands with warm soapy water
Avoid using alcohol, since it can cause drying and cracking of the skin
Shake hand down at the side of your body to increase blood flow
Grasp finger near the area to be lanced and squeeze gently until redness appears
Prick the side, rather that the center of the finger, because there are fewer nerve endings
Squeeze gently until you obtain a large drop of blood; do not apply force
If necessary, gently rub hand from the base of the palm to the finger tip to increase flow
When you have a large hanging drop of blood, apply it to pad on the test strip. Or, if your strips are "sip-in" style, touch the strip to the blood droplet.
NOTE: All meters and their corresponding testing strips require varying amounts of blood to acquire an accurate reading. If you have difficulty acquiring blood, consider changing to a meter that requires a minimal sampling.

Getting a Blood Sample from Alternate Sites:
New alternate-site technology is available. Follow the manufacturers instructions on acquiring blood samples for the most accurate results. These alternate site meters allow you to test on your forearms, upper arms, and thighs - which reduces the pain of sticking.

To increase the blood flow to the testing area, rub the area several times to warm it up and draw blood to the surface.
Rubbing the site prior to drawing a sample not only makes it easier to acquire a good sample, but also causes the readings to be more similar to the readings your would find from your fingertips. (It effectively reduces the "lag-time result")
The various meters have been approved for testing on different areas of the body. Refer to owner's manual to learn which meters have been approved for which sites.

Insulin Temperatures
Cold insulin can be painful when injected. Insulin left at room temperature (55? - 86? F) will not cause any undue pain.

When using insulin that has been refrigerated, roll the vial between your palms for 3-5 seconds prior to injecting.

Rubbing too long will cause the insulin to heat up and can affect the potency of the insulin. Especially if it is heated up frequently.

Note: The potency and stability of most insulin's can last longer if the insulin is refrigerated. However, cartridges for insulin pens should not be refrigerated when in use. Refer to your insulin's instruction sheets for proper storage information.

Proper Disposal of Syringes and Lancets
Laws regarding the proper disposal of your syringes and lancets, vary from state to state. Primarily you would want to dispose of these items in a puncture-proof and leak-proof container󲥦erred to as a Sharps Container. If for no other reason than out of consideration for any individuals who may come in contact with your discarded needles󦯲 example, your trash collector.

To find out what is required in your local area, try contacting one of the following agencies for specific information for your immediate area: Hazardous Waste Disposal, Public Health Department, or your community hospital.

Sharps containers can be purchased from your local or mail-order diabetic supplier.

Some communities may offer an exchange program in which you can swap out a filled container for a new one. Other communities may offer a mail-in service to exchange or dispose of the sharps containers.

If these options are not available and purchasing a Sharps Container is not in your budget, please follow health/safety guidelines. Use a rigid, leak & puncture-proof plastic container, such as a Clorox bottle & mark it as Bio-Hazard. When it is full, put the lid on and tape it securely shut. Place this bottle in the middle of the trash bag, and double-bag. Do not recycle hazardous materials!