Write a prescription order for a bedside glucometer (e.g., Accu‑Chek Guide) and the necessary supplies such as test strips, lancets, control solution, and a logbook.

Glucometer and Supplies Prescription Order

Order an FDA-approved blood glucose meter (such as Accu-Chek Guide or equivalent) with test strips (100-200 strips/month depending on insulin use), lancets (100-200/month), lancing device, control solution, and a logbook for patients with diabetes requiring blood glucose monitoring. 1

Essential Components to Prescribe

Blood Glucose Meter

• Specify an FDA-approved meter with proven accuracy meeting current regulatory standards 1
• Common options include Accu-Chek Guide, Accu-Chek Instant, or equivalent systems
• The meter must meet FDA guidance requiring 95% of readings within 12% accuracy for glucose ≥75 mg/dL 1

Test Strips

• Quantity depends on insulin therapy status:
  • Insulin users: 100-200 strips per month (3-6+ tests daily) 1
  • Non-insulin users: 30-100 strips per month (as needed for medication/lifestyle adjustments) 1
• Must be unexpired and purchased from licensed pharmacy/distributor 1
• Warn patients against counterfeit or secondhand strips—these produce incorrect results 1

Lancets and Lancing Device

• 100-200 lancets per month (matching testing frequency)
• One lancing device (adjustable depth settings preferred)

Control Solution

• High and low glucose control solutions
• Essential for verifying meter accuracy
• Should be used regularly, especially when opening new strip vials 2

Logbook or Digital Tracking

• Paper logbook or recommend compatible smartphone app
• Critical for pattern recognition and treatment adjustments 1

Testing Frequency Guidance

For insulin users, recommend checking blood glucose: 1

• Fasting (upon waking)
• Before meals and snacks
• 2 hours after meals
• At bedtime
• Middle of night (if nocturnal hypoglycemia suspected)
• Before, during, and after exercise
• When hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia suspected
• After treating low glucose until normoglycemic
• Before critical tasks (driving, operating machinery)

For non-insulin users, testing frequency should align with medication adjustments, meal planning modifications, or physical activity changes 1

Critical Storage and Handling Instructions

Emphasize proper storage to patients: 2

• Keep strips in original vial with cap tightly closed
• Store at room temperature (refrigeration acceptable if needed, but avoid humidity, direct light, heat)
• Never use expired strips
• Strips in open/uncapped vials degrade rapidly (3-14 days in adverse conditions)

Important Caveats

Backup Requirement

• Even patients using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) must have BGM access at all times 1—CGM does not eliminate need for confirmatory fingerstick testing

Accuracy Considerations

• Be aware that different meters have varying accuracy profiles 1
• Medication and substance interference can affect readings 1
• Hematocrit extremes (very high or low) affect all meter accuracy 3

Patient Education Requirements

• Proper fingerstick technique
• When to test based on their specific regimen
• How to interpret results and take action (not just record numbers) 1
• Recognition and treatment of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia
• Proper disposal of sharps

Sample Prescription Format

Rx: Blood Glucose Monitoring System
- Accu-Chek Guide Meter (or equivalent FDA-approved meter) x 1
- Accu-Chek Guide Test Strips, 100-200 strips per month
- Lancets, 100-200 per month  
- Lancing device x 1
- Control solution (high and low) x 1 set
- Blood glucose logbook x 1

Indication: Diabetes mellitus requiring blood glucose monitoring
Refills: 12 months (strips and lancets); meter as needed

Ensure durable medical equipment, supplies, and prescriptions are provided at hospital discharge to avoid dangerous gaps in care 4, and verify insurance coverage for prescribed devices as coverage often lags behind device availability 1.