Glucometer

Glucometer

Taking a Blood Glucose Reading

Activity Icons

Overview

With the glucometer, your loved one can take a blood glucose reading, which will be recorded automatically in the GrandCare system. The process operates completely wirelessly. Caregivers can log in to see the blood glucose readings, and to set up rules, for example to alert caregivers when a reading has been taken, or to remind the loved one if a reading hasn't been taken at the expected time.

Supported Model

There is one particular model of glucometer that can be integrated with a GrandCare system, the MyGlucoHealth brand wireless meter. It requires MyGlucoHealth test strips, a lancing device, and sterile lancets. The meter is battery-operated, and communicates with the system wirelessly via Bluetooth. As part of the installation process, a Bluetooth antenna will be installed, and the glucometer will be paired with your system, so that the signals are picked up properly. It will also be assigned to the resident(s) who will be using it, so that readings will be recorded for the correct person. This is typically done for you by your GrandCare installer.

Taking a Reading

The glucometer comes with complete directions for initializing the device, using it safely and correctly, and taking an accurate reading, which your loved one should follow. Please be sure to read these instructions before using. Some of the key points include:

• With the glucometer off, insert a new MyGlucoHealth test strip into the device, which will turn on automatically and display its code
• Use the up and down arrows to select an Activity (tiny icons on the left side of the glucometer's display screen - see the Activity Icons pictured here) that corresponds to your current situation
• Press the Power button once, to make a small image of the test strip appear on the display screen
• Lance your fingertip and apply the blood to the test strip, following the directions included with the meter
• When the blood glucose reading apperas on the meter's display screen, press the Down Arrow button once, to send the reading to the GrandCare system
  
  

Assigning the Reading

In rare cases, a glucometer will be shared by multiple residents. In that case, when a reading is taken, it must be assigned to the appropriate resident. To assign a reading:

• At the Touchscreen Main Menu, press the "Caregiving" button
• Enter the 4-digit System PIN number (which is set, and can be viewed, on the Advanced Settings screen in the Care Menu.)
• Press the "Assign Reading" button
• There may be more than one unassigned reading on the system. The first will be displayed. Press the "Select Resident" button
• Select the appropriate resident, then press the "OK" button
• If there are additional readings to be assigned, the next one will appear, otherwise the screen will show that there are no more readings to be assigned
  
  

Viewing the Readings on the Touchscreen

To view assigned readings at the Touchscreen:

• At the Main Menu, press the "Wellness" button
• Press the button for the appropriate resident
• If the Resident has a personal PIN (which is set, and can be viewed, on the Edit Loved Ones screen in the Care Menu) it may be required now
• Press the "Glucometer" button
• Readings for the current month will display - press the arrow buttons to navigate to other months
  
  

Define a Rule Condition

Define a Rule Action

Viewing the Readings Remotely

Caregivers can view blood glucose readings from any Internet-connected computer. To view readings:

• Log in to GCManage
• Open the Care Menu
• Open the Wellness module
• In the Wellness People area, click the Glucometer icon for the appropriate resident
• Readings for the current month will display - press the arrow buttons to navigate to other months
  
  

Printing the Readings

You can print a list of the readings from the Account Dashboard. To generate a printable report, see the Health Reports help page.

Setting Rules

You can set up rules to alert caregivers when a reading is taken, or if a scheduled reading is not taken. To add a rule:

• Log in to GCManage
• Open the Care Menu
• Click the "Wellness" button
• In the Wellness Rules section, click the "Add New Rule" button
  
  

There are two parts to each rule, a condition and an action. On the first screen, choose the condition. Your rule can be triggered:

• Whenever a blood glucose reading is taken
• If a blood glucose reading isn't taken between a particular time range
• If a blood glucose reading isn't taken all day
  
  

Once you have defined the condition, you need to set the action. Possible actions include contacting a single caregiver, all caregivers, or a Call List. The types of contact include:

• Email
• Text message
• Phone call to home, work or cell phone
• Phone call to a Call List
  
  

Examples of rules might be:

• If a blood glucose reading is taken, email all caregivers, so they can view the reading
• If a blood glucose reading isn't taken before noon, text an adult child who can remind the parent
• If a blood glucose reading isn't taken at a set time, phone the loved one with a reminder - only caregivers can receive alerts from rules, but a loved one can easily be added as a caregiver for this purpose
  
  

Multiple rules can be triggered for any event, so that multiple types of alerts can be sent out, for example both phone calls and emails.

A checkbox next to the rule lets you set whether the rule is enabled or disabled. It might make sense to turn off a rule while your loved one is on vacation, so that alerts won't be sent out during that time. You can disable a rule by unchecking the box. When you're ready for the rule to be active again, just check the Enabled checkbox again, and then save the rule settings.