Effect of Disinfectants on Glucose Monitors

Abstract

Although none of the six disinfectants affected meter performance, hydrogen peroxide and isopropanol >20% adversely affected the exterior surfaces of the tested meters. When complying with CDC instructions for meter disinfection, users should use caution and choose disinfectants that have been validated by the meter manufacturer.

Demonstration of disinfection procedure for the development of accurate blood glucose meters in accordance with ISO 15197:2013

“…However, there is a lack of studies that considered the effects of cleaning and disinfection procedures on the accuracy and performance of BGMs. Inappropriate viral disinfectants may efficiently remove a contaminating infectious virus but cause the deterioration of the accuracy and damage the appearance of a BGM [ 19 ]. Our thorough and complete investigation indicates that adequate cleaning and disinfection procedures can remove infectious virus while maintaining the accuracy of a BGM.…”

“…The possible transmission of Ebola virus associated with the visible or invisible dried blood should be taken into account. Although there are less EPA-registered disinfectants against Ebola virus, an economical 10% solution of household bleach, has proved no adverse effects on BGMs’ accuracy and exterior surface [ 19 ], may be an alternative. 10% bleach with our step-by-step demonstration of disinfection procedure may have beneficial effects to prevent the occurrence of transmission of Ebola virus.…”

“…However, erroneous readings can lead to incorrect treatments, which in turn can lead to excessively low blood glucose values and hypoglycemic episodes or alternatively, to inadequate lowering of blood glucose levels. Such deterioration of BGM performance could be due to an inappropriate and inadequate cleaning and disinfection procedure and the adverse effects of disinfectants [ 8 , 19 ]. Specifically, most BGM systems are composed of medical thermoplastic materials including acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), or polycarbonate (PC) [ 19 , 20 ].…”

“…Such deterioration of BGM performance could be due to an inappropriate and inadequate cleaning and disinfection procedure and the adverse effects of disinfectants [ 8 , 19 ]. Specifically, most BGM systems are composed of medical thermoplastic materials including acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), or polycarbonate (PC) [ 19 , 20 ]. Because some common disinfectants have been demonstrated to damage the plastic components of some meters, leading to screen failure and the breakdown of rubber control keys [ 19 , 20 ], a BGM should be designed to be robust and reliable to accommodate actual use conditions [ 8 ].…”

“…Specifically, most BGM systems are composed of medical thermoplastic materials including acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), or polycarbonate (PC) [ 19 , 20 ]. Because some common disinfectants have been demonstrated to damage the plastic components of some meters, leading to screen failure and the breakdown of rubber control keys [ 19 , 20 ], a BGM should be designed to be robust and reliable to accommodate actual use conditions [ 8 ]. In addition, point-of-care healthcare settings should implement an effective disinfection procedure according to the manufacturer's instructions for users to follow, thereby ensuring safety and efficacy [ 8 ].…”