OneTouch^® UltraMini^® - Choosing The Right Sampling Site At The Right Time

Choosing The Right Sampling Site At The Right Time:

• The OneTouch^® UltraMini^® Meter allows you to sample blood from your fingertip, forearm or palm.
  • Forearm and palm sampling is also referred to as “alternate site testing” (AST).
  • At times, results obtained at the forearm or palm may be different from a fingertip measurement.
  • Talk to your healthcare professional before you begin using your forearm or palm for sampling.

If You Are Testing:

1. Routinely before meals prior to or more than two hours after:

• • A meal
  • A rapid-acting insulin injection or insulin pump bolus
  • Exercise

• • • Use Blood Sample From Your:
      •  Fingertip
      • Forearm
      • Palm

2. When your blood glucose is changing rapidly, such as:

• • Within two hours after a meal
  • Within two hours after a rapid-acting insulin injection or insulin bolus
  • During or within two hours after exercise
  • When you are concerned about the possibility of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)

• • • Use Blood Sample From Your:
      • Fingertip

• CAUTION: Do Not test on your forearm or palm when:
  • You think your blood glucose is rapidly falling, such as within two hours of exercise or a rapid-acting insulin injection or insulin pump bolus. Testing with a fingertip sample may identify hypoglycemia or an insulin reaction sooner than testing with a forearm or palm sample.
  • It has been less than two hours after a meal, a rapid-acting insulin injection or insulin pump bolus, physical exercise, or you think your glucose level is changing rapidly.
  • You are concerned about the possibility of hypoglycemia or an insulin reaction, such as when driving a car. This is especially important if you suffer from hypoglycemia unawareness (lack of symptoms to indicate an insulin reaction).
     
• Remember: Consult with your healthcare professional before using your forearm or palm for testing.
  • Choose a different puncture site each time you test. Repeated punctures in the same spot may cause soreness and calluses.
  • If bruising occurs at an alternate site or you have difficulty getting a sample, consider sampling from a fingertip instead.
  • You may want to review the choice of sites with your healthcare professional.

Lancing And Sampling From An Alternate Site:

• Sampling from your palm or forearm allows you to use your fingertips less often. You may find that obtaining a blood sample from an alternate site is less painful than using a fingertip. Getting a blood sample from your forearm or palm is different than getting a sample from your fingertips.
• The clear cap is used for forearm and palm sampling only. Replace the blue (or black) cap with the clear cap.