Sometimes we need a second chance

Monitoring your blood glucose levels can be challenging, and repeated finger pricking is a hurdle to self-testing for many people.1 If you’re frustrated with not getting it right the first time – you’re not alone. One study found that people often applied blood incorrectly to their test strip when trying to take a blood glucose reading2 and research has shown that 3 in 4 people with diabetes are frustrated, annoyed or aggravated by having to use a second strip.3

Second Chance

The good news is that there are solutions available to help you overcome these issues, such as the Second-Chance® sampling feature of our CONTOUR®PLUS BLUE blood glucose monitoring system.

A monitoring system that gives you a second chance

Second-Chance® sampling is a unique feature that gives you up to 30 seconds to get your blood glucose result from a single test strip.4 You may not have to prick your finger for a second time, and it could save you up to 100 test strips each year.3

Our CONTOUR®PLUS BLUE system will let you know if you need to apply more blood to the same test strip, if the first sample you provided is not sufficient.4 The meter will beep twice and show a blinking blood drop with a + sign, and you will then have 30 seconds (displayed on the meter) to apply more blood to the same test strip to get an accurate reading.4 

This feature of the CONTOUR®PLUS BLUE system addresses one of the common issues associated with blood glucose testing.2 A recent analysis showed that the use of Second-Chance® Sampling is utilised in the real world setting for people living with diabetes using insulin and oral glucose lowering medications.5

Would you like to find out more about the CONTOUR®PLUS BLUE system? Have a look at our product site to learn more about its benefits https://www.diabetes.ascensia.co.uk/products/contour-plus-blue/ If you are already using the CONTOUR®PLUS BLUE system, how has Second-Chance® sampling supported your blood glucose monitoring? Do you waste less strips than before? Please share your experiences and any questions with us at diabetessupport@ascensia.com.

This is the last newsletter for this journey of the Ascensia Diabetes Support Programme. Over the past few weeks we hope you received useful information, tips and maybe found some inspiration along the way for living with diabetes.

Please let us know which topics you would like us to feature in a future journey. Your feedback is highly welcome and will also help us get better. Email us at diabetessupport@ascensia.com

References

1. Shlomowitz A and Feher MD. Anxiety associated with self monitoring of capillary blood glucose. Br J Diabetes Vasc Diseases. 2014;14(2):60–63.

2. Freckmann G et al. User Performance Evaluation of Four Blood Glucose Monitoring Systems Applying ISO 15197:2013 Accuracy Criteria and Calculation of Insulin Dosing Errors. Diabetes Ther. 2018;9(2):683–697.

3. Market Research. Ascensia Diabetes Care, Hall & Partners, conducted online April/May 2015.

4. CONTOUR®NEXT ONE BGMS User Guide [Ascensia to confirm version and date of latest CONTOUR NEXT user guide – country needs to localize as per latest version (last page UG in local country]

5. Richardson J et al. (2020) Clinical Relevance of Reapplication of Blood Samples During Blood Glucose Testing. DTM 2020, Online.