DATA STUDY OF BLOOD GLUCOSE METERS TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY FACTORS OF TEST STRIPS IN SUB-DISTRICT HEALTH PROMOTING HOSPITALS, PHITSANULOK PROVINCE

Abstract

          The objectives of this study were: 1) to study of blood glucose meter data at HPHs; and 2) to record actual temperatures and humidity of test strip storage sites at five HPHs, Phitsanulok province. The researchers surveyed blood glucose meter data at 143 HPHs using questionnaires and temperature and relative humidity were recorded at five HPHs in Phitsanulok, province between April and May 2018 by using calibrated data loggers. The data analysis was processed by Descriptive statistics analysis (Frequency and percentile and mean). 1)  Survey data was obtained from 45 HPHs (31%, 45/143) using glucose meters 100% (45/45). Most of the responders were female nurses, aged 41-51 years old, and had at least 10 years of experience. Of the HPHs, 78% operated monthly internal quality control (IQC) and 73% participated in an external quality assurance (EQA) scheme. Furthermore, 88.9% of the HPHs stored test strips without air conditioning or with intermittent air conditioning, and 6.7% of HPHs kept test strips in a refrigerator. 2) The average temperature for test strip storage (3/5 of HPHs) was 30°C, while in some week’s temperatures reached as high as 30.3°C. The average relative humidity at five HPHs was 62.6%, but in some weeks, this reached a maximum of 70.4%. This study concludes that all 45 HPHs provided services for POCT blood glucose testing. Most of the HPHs stored test strips without air conditioning. Temperatures higher than 30°C were found at actual test strip storage sites, which exceed manufacture recommendations and may affect the precision and accuracy of blood glucose testing by glucose meters.