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Blood Glucose test kits.

H

hugogj

Member
Messages
5
Hi
I was diagnosed last year with type 1 diabetes. All is going well. I am currently studying a design subject through the open university. i am doing some user research and was wondering if diabetics out there would like to help me. I am looking for users of bm kits to tell me what deficiencies they find in the kits and what they might like to change with regards to usability of these kits. any help would be appreciated. thank you. :)
 
This is going to sound really lame and girly. But they are not very pretty! I am using the Accu -Chek Nano and it is black, the pen is black and so is the case. Functional but not very interesting. I like my gadgets to look a bit more stylish, my phone is so why can't my monitor. You look at all the cases that are sold for putting diabetesequip in and they are all black leather or tan leather look etc. Why can't there be something a bit more stylish or a choice of colours are can't they persaude a designer to look at meters and the cases and make them just look better and not so "clinical". Ok so that is girly but I am PR Consultant (seriously) so I do like a bit of style... :roll:
 
Hi
thanks for the replys.
i am more interested in reasons why you dislike using the kits. eg too many seperate parts, difficult to load strips ect ect, these are things that annoy me. but i'm looking what annoys others about these kits. not really thier looks but how we use them.

thanks again guys. :D
 
Hi.

Don't know what machine you are using but IMHO I have no problems at all with my Bg meter. It is an Accu-Chek Aviva and is quite compact, does all it needs too and I have never had any difficulties using it. I can also transfer the data by infrared to my PC with the provided software and can edit and produce graphs and charts for my HCP team. Shows all results etc very clearly with trends.

I recently got an Ascencia Breeze 2 which I keep in the car. This too is an excellent compact meter. The strips in this one are pre-loaded on a disc of ten strips. You just switch on, prime the device and a strip appears as if by magic. Blood on strip, reading, then a built in cutter snips off the used strip. Simple.

I use an Accu-Chek Multiclix lancet with both devices as they have a drum of 6 lancets which you pre load. The adjustment is very fine so you never have too much blood for testing.

The only thing I would say is I do wish they were back-lit ?

Ken.
 
Hi,
I always donload my tests to my computer, then onto a memory pen to allow the doctor to view them at my clinic appointment. But I have to convert the results from csv to MS Excel and then the doctor turns them into the graphs he likes to see. The problems here are:
1. The converting of files is at the highest end of my I.T. limit and sometimes the results are useless, and
2. The meter I use has no facility to add text such as what type of excersise, hypos and food types. I am currently trying out the FREEDOM course (Flexable Regime of Excersise & Eating...) so these things have to be noted for management of my diabetes at the moment. My sons mobile phone recognises MS Excel so the technology could be used in a meter too.
Regards,
Mark
 
The problem comes when people have opposing complaints! Some dislike meters that are too large and wish they were smaller. Others who are visually impaired complain that the same meters need a bigger display. Probably ensuring there is a wide range on the market would do most for most people. Second of course to cheaper strips . . .
 
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