Air Ambulance Upgrades Blood Glucose Monitoring System

An Air Ambulance company has upgraded its blood glucose monitoring system used across a wide range of glucose levels prior to, during, and after emergency flight transfers.

CEGA Air Ambulance is now using using Roche (Basel, Switzerland) Accu-Chek Inform II blood glucose monitoring strips.

The Accu-Chek Inform II test strips have undergone extensive evaluation, including studies at over 30 external sites as well as thorough internal testing. These evaluations demonstrated that the strips provide accurate and reliable blood glucose measurements under a variety conditions, including wide haematocrit and environmental ranges, and in presence of maltose.

The strips require a minimal sample volume of just 0.6 µL and deliver accurate results from alternative sampling sites, such as the palm and forearm.

The air company's senior flight nurse, Stuart Cox commented, "After reviewing all the kits that are available on the market, we felt that the Roche Accu-Chek Inform II test strips best met our requirements for high quality patient care in the air ambulance. 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 close monitoring of blood glucose levels is an important part of their care. Studies have shown that maintenance of appropriate glycaemic control in such patients improves morbidity and mortality.

CEGA was established in 1973 as an air taxi service. Operations soon changed to meet a growing demand for worldwide repatriation of sick and injured holidaymakers and domestic National Health Service (NHS) transfers by Ambulance Aircraft.

Related Links:
CEGA Air Ambulance
Roche
National Health Service