The Accu-Chek Advantage blood glucose meter provides a simple, quick way of checking your blood glucose with just a single drop of blood. To ensure accurate readings, you should always code your meter and run a control test when opening a new container of test strips. You can also run through this calibration procedure if you suspect that the meter or test strips may have become damaged or may have been stored improperly.
Coding the Meter
Step 1
Open a new bottle of test strips and extract the code key from the vial; it should look like a small memory card. Remove the old code key from the slot in the back of the Accu-Chek Advantage meter, throw the old card away and slide the new one into the slot, numbers facing out, until it snaps into place.
Step 2
Press the power button, located in the upper-right corner of your glucose meter, to turn it on. Take note of the three-digit code that displays on the meter's screen.
Step 3
Compare the code on the meter's screen to the code on the test strip vial. If they match, your meter is ready to use. If they don't match, you must either try a new vial of test strips--with a new code key--or contact Accu-Chek customer care (see Resources).
Running a Control Test
Step 1
Add three months to the current date and write this new date on the bottle of control solution if you're just opening it for the first time; the solution will expire on the date you just wrote on the bottle or the expiration date stamped on the bottle, whichever comes first.
Step 2
Insert a test strip into the slot in the bottom of the Accu-Chek Advantage. The yellow window should face up. Verify that the three-digit code that displays on the meter, once the test strip is inserted, is the same as the code on the vial of test strips.
Step 3
Wait for the flashing symbol of a blood drop to appear on the Advantage's display, then press the right arrow button to select the L1 setting. If the bottle of control solution you have is marked L2, press the right arrow button once more to advance to the L2 setting.
Step 4
Roll the bottle of control solution back and forth for a moment to mix it. Squeeze a single drop onto a paper towel, then wipe the bottle's tip with a clean portion of the same paper towel.
Step 5
Squeeze the bottle until another drop of control solution appears; touch this drop to the edge of the testing window in the test strip. Wait a few seconds. If "OK" appears on the meter screen, your meter is ready for use. If "Err" appears, you should repeat the test with a new test strip and new control solution. If this doesn't produce an "OK" result, you must contact Accu-Chek customer care (see Resources).
