Practice makes perfect! This old adage applies to the skill of handling the lancet, ensuring you successfully draw enough blood from fingertip to test strip.
Step by step guide:
- Adjust the depth selector on your lancing device. There are 9 settings, 9 delivering the deepest puncture. Select dependent on the texture of your skin.
- If you find the lancet painful, adjust the depth to a lighter setting.
- Warm your hands to agitate the blood flow in your hands. Rub your hands together or wash them in warm water.
- Using your free hand, grip your test finger with your index and thumb and squeeze for approximately 12 seconds before using the lancet. This increases hydrostatic pressure.
- Test on the side of your finger. The blood flow here is greater than in the middle.
- Putting the lancet aside, wait around 4 seconds for a blood drop to form.
- If the sample is insufficient, refrain from squeezing your finger. Instead lower your hand to hip height and massage your finger gently to encourage further blood flow.
- If this fails, gently squeeze your hand, starting close to your palm and work your way up your finger.
- Alternate between fingers regularly when testing, using the same spot on the same finger may lead to calluses.
- Testing is a skill. Be patient whilst you perfect the procedure.