Identifying technique errors. Self-monitoring of blood glucose in the home setting.

1. Twenty-two study participants aged 65 and older were observed performing self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) in their homes 3 to 4 weeks after initial meter instruction to identify elderly patients' technique errors in SMBG. Periodic evaluation of the elders' SMBG is vital for ongoing accurate results. 2. Overall, the elderly patients were able to perform the blood glucose test correctly. However, performing the quality control checks proved more difficult. The three most frequent errors included failure to check control solution expiration dates (86%), not shaking the vials of control solution (82%), and not verifying glucose control solution results (68%). 3. Further studies using larger samples and various populations are needed to further assess and document SMBG by the elderly patient. As the numbers of elders using SMBG increase, so does the need for research to promote the most appropriate and cost-effective education and evaluation of this self-care.