The most direct way to determine the accuracy of a blood glucose monitor is to compare it with a venous blood test result from a hospital. If you measure your blood glucose on an empty stomach and immediately draw venous blood, and the error is within ±15% (blood glucose ≥ 5.6 mmol/L) or ±0.83 mmol/L (blood glucose < 5.6 mmol/L), then the instrument is accurate.
Besides comparison, you can also use a control solution test-drop the control solution onto the test strip and see if the result is within the stated range. Pay attention to data fluctuations regularly. If the values measured at the same time over several consecutive days vary significantly (e.g., pre-meal blood glucose fluctuations exceed ±1.5 mmol/L), or are significantly inconsistent with your physical experience (e.g., experiencing hypoglycemia symptoms but a high reading), then the instrument may need calibration.
Operational precautions: Ensure the test strips are not expired or damp; ensure the alcohol is completely dry before blood collection; use sufficient blood volume; and avoid squeezing your finger. If you are unsure, bring your blood glucose monitor to the hospital for a simultaneous test; this is the most convenient method.
