Accu-Chek GO User manual

User’s Manual
Exclusively for Long-Term Care
®
Go

Introduction
The ACCU-CHEK
®
Go blood glucose system is a state-of-the art precision instrument that will
enable you to test blood glucose simply and with confidence. The blood glucose meter is designed
and approved to quantitatively measure the concentration of glucose in capillary whole blood
samples outside the body (
in vitro diagnostics use) by healthcare professionals, or persons with
diabetes, for monitoring glucose in healthcare facilities, or in the home. It should not be used to
diagnose diabetes. This user’s manual contains the complete instructions for using the system.
No matter whether this is your first time using a blood glucose meter or whether you have used
others in the past, please take time to read this manual carefully and completely before
performing the first blood glucose measurement. The manual may tell you a lot of what you
know already, but it will also introduce many features that may be new to you. To use the meter
correctly and dependably, you need to have a thorough understanding of the way it operates,
what the screen displays mean, and the individual functions.
Should you have any questions, the ACCU-CHEK Customer Care service center is available 24
hours a day. Call 1-800-440-3638.
To start testing quickly, you can also refer to the ACCU-CHEK Go Quick Reference Guide.
Last updated user information: January 2006

Contents
Chapter 1: Understanding the ACCU-CHEK Go System..............................................................................4
Connecting (or Changing) the Battery .....................................................................................................6
Setting the Time and Date ......................................................................................................................7
Setting the Alarm Clock Function............................................................................................................9
Setting the Beep Tone...........................................................................................................................10
Setting the Hypoglycemic (Hypo) Warning.............................................................................................11
Coding the Meter..................................................................................................................................12
Chapter 2: Control Testing ........................................................................................................................13
Why Run Control Tests? ........................................................................................................................13
Running a Control Test..........................................................................................................................14
Understanding Control Test Results.......................................................................................................16
Contents 1ACCU-CHEK Customer Care Service Center 1-800-440-3638

Chapter 3: Testing Blood Glucose............................................................................................................18
Tips for Testing by Healthcare Professionals ........................................................................................21
Understanding Blood Glucose Results ..................................................................................................22
Normal Blood Sugar Ranges .........................................................................................................22
Symptoms of High or Low Blood Sugar.........................................................................................22
Unusual Test Results .....................................................................................................................23
Important Information for Healthcare Professionals..............................................................................24
Storing the Supplies.............................................................................................................................26
Sources of Interference........................................................................................................................27
Chapter 4: Using the Meter’s Memory.....................................................................................................28
Viewing Test Results ............................................................................................................................29
Viewing Trend Information....................................................................................................................29
Downloading the Meter to a Computer or PDA.....................................................................................31
Chapter 5: Maintenance and Troubleshooting .................................................................................33
Cleaning the Meter ..............................................................................................................................33
Performing a Full Display Check ..........................................................................................................36
Contents 2ACCU-CHEK Customer Care Service Center 1-800-440-3638
3
k
4
5
0k

Screen Messages and Troubleshooting .................................................................................................37
Possible Sources of Error......................................................................................................................46
Chapter 6: Technical Information .............................................................................................................47
Product Limitations...............................................................................................................................47
Specifications .......................................................................................................................................47
Product Safety Information ...................................................................................................................49
Warranty...............................................................................................................................................50
Patent Information ................................................................................................................................53
Additional Supplies ...............................................................................................................................53
References ...........................................................................................................................................54
Alphabetical Index ................................................................................................................................55
Contents 3ACCU-CHEK Customer Care Service Center 1-800-440-3638

Chapter 1: Understanding the ACCU-CHEK Go System
1 Liquid crystal display (LCD)
2 Mbutton ("memory")
3 Sbutton ("set")
4 Measurement optics cover
5 Test strip guide
6 Test strip ejector
7 Code key slot
8 Code key
9 Battery tray
10 Battery
Chapter 1: Understanding the ACCU-CHEK Go System 4ACCU-CHEK Customer Care Service Center 1-800-440-3638
10
1
2
3
44
5
6
7
8
9

9 Battery tray
11 Infrared interface
Chapter 1: Understanding the ACCU-CHEK Go System 5ACCU-CHEK Customer Care Service Center 1-800-440-3638
9
11

Connecting (or Changing) the Battery
The ACCU-CHEK Go meter is sold complete with one lithium battery (type CR2430 or DL2430) already inserted.
A plastic film protects the battery against becoming drained prematurely. Before using the meter, remove the
film covering the battery as follows:
1. Use your thumb to slide the battery tray up and out of the meter.
2. Remove the plastic film and throw it away.
3. Slide the battery tray back into the meter until it locks in place.
A new battery provides enough power for about 1,000 tests
in a year.
To change the battery, remove the old battery and place the new one in the tray with
the + side facing down.
• The battery symbol on the screen means the battery is low and should be changed
soon.
• When the battery symbol appears for the first time, it indicates that the battery is wearing
down. You can perform approximately 50 additional tests, however, we recommend that
you replace the battery as soon as possible.
Chapter 1: Understanding the ACCU-CHEK Go System 6ACCU-CHEK Customer Care Service Center 1-800-440-3638

NOTE: As long as you change the battery within one minute, the date and time settings will be retained.
NOTE: Healthcare professionals should dispose of used batteries according to their facility’s guidelines.
Setting the Time and Date
1. Briefly press (for less than 3 seconds). The meter is now turned on and in set mode.
2. Press to change the time format (12H or 24H). The 24H format is known as military
time.
3. Press to confirm the setting.
S
M
S
Chapter 1: Understanding the ACCU-CHEK Go System 7ACCU-CHEK Customer Care Service Center 1-800-440-3638
ll
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
ll
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
ll
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
ll
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l

4. Press to change the hour, and then press .
5. Repeat step 4 by pressing to choose the function and then entering the setting with until the minutes,
day, and month are set. The date and time are set in the following sequence:
NOTE: If you do not set the date and time, a series of zeros will be displayed when you take a reading.
Consequently, statistical evaluations (in the electronic notebook, see Chapter 4) cannot be performed as they can
only use data stored together with the date and time. To distinguish readings in the memory, they are numbered
consecutively.
M
S
S
M
Chapter 1: Understanding the ACCU-CHEK Go System 8ACCU-CHEK Customer Care Service Center 1-800-440-3638
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
Year
Month
Day
Minutes
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
ll
l
l
l
l
ll
l
l
l
Hours

Setting the Alarm Clock Function
Once you have set the time and date, the alarm function appears. The alarm clock is designed to alert the
operator that it is time to conduct glucose testing.
NOTE: In a multiple resident environment, each resident may require testing at different times. The
recommendation is to not set the alarm clock when using the ACCU-CHEK Go meter in a multiple resident
environment.
Press to set it to "On" or "Off." Press to confirm your choice.
If you have chosen "Off," the alarm clock function is disabled and you
will automatically move to "Setting the Beep Tone" (see page 10).
When turned "On," you can set up to three separate alarm times. Set
the time for the first alarm call, as follows:
1. Press t
o select the unit of time you wish to set. The unit will flash, indicating that it is ready to be changed.
2. Press to change the time unit.
3. Press to set the second and third alarm times.
NOTE: You do not have to set all three alarm times. Leaving the time as "0:00" deactivates that alarm time.
Entering any other time activates that alarm. You can also turn off an alarm that was previously set. Simply
change the time to "0:00." If you wish to set an alarm for 0:00 hrs, be sure to enter 23:59 or 11:59 p.m.
S
M
S
S
M
Chapter 1: Understanding the ACCU-CHEK Go System 9ACCU-CHEK Customer Care Service Center 1-800-440-3638
l l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l

If you have turned on the alarm clock function, a reminder beeper will sound at the set times with tones at 1-
second intervals for 20 seconds. You can turn off the alarm within these 20 seconds by pressing either button.
NOTE: If the meter is already turned on at one of the set alarm times, the alarm will not sound.
NOTE: If you turn off the alarm clock function after setting the alarm time(s), they will remain stored in memory.
Once you have set the alarm time(s), press to confirm and move on to “Setting the Beep Tone.”
Setting the Beep Tone
Once you have confirmed the alarm settings, you have the option of turning the beep tone on or off. The beep
tone sounds, for instance, after blood has been applied at the start of testing, and when a result is displayed.
1. Press to set the beep to "On" or "Off."
2. Press to confirm your choice.
NOTE: The beep tone, as mentioned in this manual, will
only sound if it has been turned "On" as described above.
S
M
S
Chapter 1: Understanding the ACCU-CHEK Go System 10 ACCU-CHEK Customer Care Service Center 1-800-440-3638

Setting the Hypoglycemic (Hypo) Warning
Once you have confirmed the beep tone setting with , you have the option of turning on the hypo warning and
setting a hypo warning threshold (you can program one of three thresholds). This warning appears in the form of a
flashing “hypo?” message in the display and is accompanied by five beeps (if the beep tone is turned on).
The hypo warning is delivered whenever a test result is below the threshold that was set on
the meter. This may indicate possible hypoglycemia.
Take caution when using the hypo warning in a multiple
resident environment. Each resident may have a different
hypo threshold value. Follow the protocol established by your
healthcare facility when setting the hypo value. Never make
treatment decisions based on indicators or error messages.
Only take action based on the blood glucose result.
The meter has the hypo indicator turned off by default. To turn
on and set the hypo indicator:
1. Press and the lowest threshold value is displayed (60 mg/dL).
Press again to select a higher value (70 or 80 mg/dL).
2. Press to confirm your choice.
3. Press again to exit the set mode and turn the meter off.
S
S
M
M
S
Chapter 1: Understanding the ACCU-CHEK Go System 11 ACCU-CHEK Customer Care Service Center 1-800-440-3638
▲
!
ll
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
MS
MS

Coding the Meter
Change the code key every time you open a new box of test strips.
1. Slide the new code key from its holder at the bottom of the vial.
2. With the meter off, insert the code key into the code key slot. It should snap into place.
3. When you insert a test strip, make sure the code number on the display
matches the code on the test strip vial.
NOTE: When you insert a new code key, if the code number
on the display does not match the code on the test strip vial, call the ACCU-CHEK Customer
Care service center at 1-800-440-3638.
Chapter 1: Understanding the ACCU-CHEK Go System 12 ACCU-CHEK Customer Care Service Center 1-800-440-3638
▲
!

Chapter 2: Control Testing
Why Run Control Tests?
Control tests ensure that both the meter and the test strips are working properly and giving reliable results. You
should run a control test when:
• The meter is new
• You open a new box of test strips
• You insert a new battery
• You clean the meter
• You drop the meter
• The test results don’t agree with clinical symptoms
• You want to make sure you’re performing tests correctly
Please contact the ACCU-CHEK Customer Care service center at 1-800-440-3638 for details of where you can
obtain ACCU-CHEK Go control solution.
13

Running a Control Test
For control testing, you’ll need the meter, test strips, bottles of control solution, and a napkin or
paper towel.
Ensure that the measurement optics cover is in place. For more information, see
Chapter 5: Maintenance and Troubleshooting.
1. Remove a new test strip from the vial. Be sure to
replace the cap tightly.
2. Hold the test strip so the arrows are on top.
Insert the test strip with the arrows pointing
toward the meter until it will go no further. The
meter turns on automatically.
3. Make sure the code number on the
display matches the code on the
test strip vial.
4. When the flashing blood drop appears, press to mark the test as
a control. You can also do this right after you get the test result, but
not after the meter turns off. A control bottle symbol is displayed
and will be stored with the test result in memory to show that the
result is from a control test.
S
Chapter 2: Control Testing 14 ACCU-CHEK Customer Care Service Center 1-800-440-3638
MS
▲
!

NOTE: Once the flashing blood drop appears on the screen, you have 90 seconds to apply solution to the strip.
Please always wait for this indicator and do not apply control solution prematurely or the meter may give
an incorrect reading.
5. Briefly roll the bottle of control solution, open it, squeeze one drop onto a napkin or paper towel, and wipe the
tip of the bottle clean.
6. Hold the meter so the test strip points down at a slight angle.
7. Gently touch and hold one drop of solution against the black notch on the strip until the
hourglass symbol is displayed.
If the beep signal is turned on, the meter will also beep to indicate that the test strip has the
correct amount of solution.
After approximately 5 seconds, the meter beeps a second time (if the beep signal is turned
on) and displays the test result.
Chapter 2: Control Testing 15 ACCU-CHEK Customer Care Service Center 1-800-440-3638
▲
!

8. To remove the test strip, hold the meter so the test strip points straight down and push the test strip ejector
forward
as far as it will go. (The meter turns off automatically.) Dispose of the test strip in a proper waste
container.
Understanding Control Test Results
When a control test result is within the acceptable range, the test strips and meter are working properly. The
label on the test strip vial shows the acceptable ranges for Level 1 and Level 2 control solutions. The control test
results should be within the listed range. You can compare the result to the range for the level of control solution
you used (Level 1 or Level 2).
Example: Range (mg/dL) Mean (mg/dL)
Level 1 (Lo) 36-66 51
Level 2 (Hi) 267-361 314
Chapter 2: Control Testing 16 ACCU-CHEK Customer Care Service Center 1-800-440-3638
A CCU- C HEK®Go Control
Range (mg/dL)
1 36 - 66
2 267 - 361
Mean (mg/dL)
51
314
The figures are for illustration only.

When a control test isn’t within the acceptable range, there could be several reasons. Follow these steps to
find out why:
Troubleshooting Checks Action
1. Check the expiration dates of the test strips Replace control solution or test strips that have
and control solutions. expired or control solution you opened more than
three months ago.
2. Make sure the caps were tight on the test strip If either has been open for a while, replace the test
vial and control solution bottles. strips or control solution.
3. Check that the code number on the meter matches If not, recode the meter (see page 12).
the code on the test strip vial.
4. Make sure you followed all the test steps. Reread pages 14 - 15 and test again.
5. Make sure the temperature was between Repeat the test in the appropriate temperature range.
50-104ºF (10-40ºC) when you did the test.
6. If none of the above apply… Repeat the control test with a new test strip. If the
result still isn’t within the acceptable range, contact
the ACCU-CHEK Customer Care service center at
1-800-440-3638.
Chapter 2: Control Testing 17 ACCU-CHEK Customer Care Service Center 1-800-440-3638

Chapter 3: Testing Blood Glucose
Before running the first blood glucose test, make sure you set up the meter properly and run control
tests. See Chapters 1 and 2 for details.
Ensure that the measurement optics cover is in place. For more information, see
Chapter 5: Maintenance and Troubleshooting.
1. Remove a test strip from the vial. Be sure to replace the
cap tightly.
2. Hold the test strip so the arrows are on top. Insert the test
strip with the arrows pointing toward the meter until it will
go no further. The meter turns on automatically.
3. Make sure the code number on the
display matches the code on the
test strip vial.
Do not carry out any tests if the code number on the display is not the same as the code on the test strip
vial. Incorrect coding produces incorrect results. Incorrect results can cause the wrong therapeutic
decision to be taken and so produce adverse health effects.
18
▲
!
▲
!