How Do I Reset My Accu-Chek Guide Meter? A Comprehensive Guide

Accu-Chek meters are vital tools for managing diabetes, providing accurate blood glucose readings. Occasionally, you might need to reset your meter. However, resetting isn’t always straightforward. This guide provides detailed instructions on checking control solutions and troubleshooting your Accu-Chek Guide, Guide Link, Guide Me, Aviva, and Nano meters, focusing on ensuring accurate readings and identifying potential issues.

Understanding Control Solutions and Meter Functionality

Before attempting any reset, it’s crucial to understand how control solutions work and what they indicate about your meter’s functionality. Control solutions contain a known amount of glucose and are used to verify that your meter and test strips are working correctly.

Checking Control Solutions with Accu-Chek Guide and Guide Link Meters

These steps apply to both the Accu-Chek Guide and Accu-Chek Guide Link meters:

1. Inspect Expiration Dates: Verify the “Use By” date on both the test strip container and the control solution bottles. Expired components can lead to inaccurate results. Don’t use expired strips or solutions. Note that controls expire three months after opening.
2. Prepare the Control Solution: Remove the control bottle cap, wipe the tip, and discard the first drop into a tissue.
3. Insert Test Strip: Insert the metallic end of the test strip into the meter. The meter should turn on automatically. Place the meter on a flat surface.
4. Apply Control Solution: Apply either Level 1 or Level 2 control solution.
5. Apply Drop: When “Apply drop” appears on the display, gently squeeze the bottle until a tiny drop forms at the tip.
6. Touch the Strip: Touch the drop to the yellow edge of the test strip. Avoid placing the control solution directly on top of the test strip.
7. Analyzing: The meter will display “Analyzing” when it detects sufficient control solution.
8. Control Result: The control result and the control bottle symbol will appear on the screen.
9. Select Control Level: While the strip is still inserted, use the up or down arrows to select the control level you tested (Level 1 or Level 2).
10. Confirm Level: Press OK. A “✓” and “Within range” appear if the control result is within the acceptable range. An “X” and “Out of range” appear if the control result is out of range.
11. Clean Up: Wipe the tip of the bottle with a tissue and replace the cap tightly.

Alt Text: The Accu-Chek Guide meter displays the results of a control solution test, with the control bottle symbol visible.

Interpreting Results: You can confirm whether your control results are within the expected range by comparing them to the ranges printed on the test strip container. If the results are out of range, refer to a troubleshooting guide or contact customer support.

Checking Control Solutions with Accu-Chek Guide Me Meter

Follow these steps for the Accu-Chek Guide Me meter:

1. Check Expiration Dates: As with the other meters, confirm that the test strips and control solutions are not expired.
2. Prepare Solution: Remove the control bottle cap, wipe the tip, and discard the first drop.
3. Insert Strip: Insert the metallic end of the test strip into the meter. It should power on automatically. Place the meter on a flat surface.
4. Apply Solution: Apply the control solution (Level 1 or Level 2).
5. Apply Drop: When the flashing blood drop appears on the display, squeeze the bottle until a tiny drop forms at the tip.
6. Touch Strip: Touch the drop to the yellow edge of the test strip. Ensure you don’t put the solution on top of the test strip. The flashing hourglass will appear when there’s enough solution.
7. Control Result: The control result, bottle symbol, and flashing L1 or L2 will appear.
8. Select Level: Press the left or right arrow buttons to alternate between L1 and L2.
9. Confirm Level: Press and release the power button on the side once the correct level (L1 or L2) is displayed. “OK” appears if the control result is within range. “Err” appears if the result is out of range.
10. Clean Up: Wipe the tip of the bottle and cap it tightly.

Alt Text: The Accu-Chek Guide Me meter showing a control solution test in progress, with the flashing L1 indicator and bottle symbol visible.

Interpreting Results: Compare your control results with the ranges printed on the test strip container to verify accuracy. If the control results are outside the acceptable range, consult a troubleshooting guide or contact customer support.

Checking Control Solutions with Accu-Chek Aviva Meter

These steps are specific to the Accu-Chek Aviva meter:

1. Check Expiration Dates: Verify the “use by” date on the test strip container.
2. Prepare the Meter: Place the meter on a flat surface.
3. Prepare Solution: Remove the cap from the control solution bottle and wipe the tip with a lint-free wipe.
4. Apply Drop: Squeeze the bottle until a tiny drop forms at the tip.
5. Touch Strip: Touch the drop to the front edge of the yellow window of the test strip.
6. Remove Bottle: Remove the bottle from the test strip when ‘E’ appears. Avoid putting a drop on top of the test strip.
7. Clean Up: Wipe the tip of the bottle with a lint-free wipe and cap the bottle tightly.
8. Control Result: The control result appears on the display. Remove and discard the used test strip per facility policy.

Note: If the control bottle symbol and the flashing “L” do not appear on the display with your control result, an error has occurred. Do not act on the control result. Repeat the control test with a new test strip.

9. Compare: You can compare the control result with the acceptable range printed on the test strip container label. If the control result is within the acceptable range, correct functioning of the system is assured.

10. Troubleshooting: If the control result is outside the acceptable range or if an error message is displayed, reference the troubleshooting guide and repeat the control test.

11. Contact Support: If the second control result is also outside the acceptable range or an error message is displayed, contact Accu-Chek Customer Care.

Checking Control Solutions with Accu-Chek Nano Meter

Follow these instructions for the Accu-Chek Nano meter:

1. Display Check: To ensure the display is working correctly, turn off the meter, then press and hold the Power/Set Button located on the right side of the meter to see the complete display. All segments should be clear and complete. If any segments are missing from the display, there may be a problem with the meter.

2. Check Expiration Dates: Verify the “Use By” date on the test strip container.

3. Insert Strip: Insert the test strip into the meter in the direction of the arrows.

4. Prepare Meter: Place the meter on a flat surface, like a table.

5. Prepare Solution: Remove the control bottle cap and wipe the tip of the bottle with a tissue.

6. Apply Drop: Squeeze the bottle until a tiny drop forms at the tip. Touch the drop to the front edge of the yellow window of the test strip. Avoid putting the control solution on top of the test strip. When you see the hourglass icon flash, you have enough control solution in the test strip. Wipe the tip of the bottle with a tissue, then cap the bottle tightly.

7. Control Result: A result appears on the display along with the control bottle symbol.

8. Interpreting Results: The control result and OK alternate on the display if the result is in range. The range is printed on the test strip container label. The control result and “Err” alternate on the display if the result is out of range. Remove and discard the used test strip.

9. Troubleshooting: Check the troubleshooting table to see what may be causing the problem and repeat the control test.

10. Contact Support: If the second control result is also outside the acceptable range or an error message is displayed, contact Accu-Chek Customer Care.

Alt Text: A detailed table showing troubleshooting checks for various Accu-Chek meter control solution tests, assisting users in resolving potential issues and ensuring accurate readings.

Troubleshooting and When to Contact Support

If control solution tests consistently fail or you encounter error messages, consult the troubleshooting section in your meter’s user manual or visit the Accu-Chek website for support. Common issues include expired test strips, contaminated control solutions, or a malfunctioning meter.

If troubleshooting steps don’t resolve the issue, contact Accu-Chek Customer Care for further assistance. They can provide guidance, help diagnose potential problems, and, if necessary, arrange for a meter replacement.

Conclusion

While resetting your Accu-Chek Guide meter might not be a typical function, regularly checking control solutions is essential for ensuring accurate blood glucose readings. By following the steps outlined in this guide and consulting the troubleshooting resources, you can maintain the accuracy of your meter and effectively manage your diabetes. Always prioritize using valid test strips and control solutions, and don’t hesitate to seek professional support when needed.