No Coding

What is “Coding?"

Coding, or calibrating, is the process by which a blood glucose meter is matched with the reactivity of the test strips. To ensure the accuracy of blood glucose test results using some blood glucose meters, the meter first needs to be coded (or calibrated), usually by inserting a code strip, code chip or by entering a code number into the meter. This "coding" needs to be done every time new test strips are used, such as when you are starting to use strips from a new box.

Why Does Coding Matter?

The accuracy of blood glucose meters was recently evaluated in a clinical study that compared certain properly and improperly coded meters. This study, which included the Bayer BREEZE^® meter, found that blood glucose test results could be adversely affected by improper coding. The median (midpoint of the range of glucose values) percent differences or inaccuracies with the meters tested was 46%.

An earlier study, which included the Bayer CONTOUR^® meter, had a median (midpoint of the range of glucose values) percent differences or inaccuracies with the meters tested of 43%.

Bayer BREEZE and Bayer CONTOUR meters do not require coding. Find out more about the benefits of no coding by clicking on the link(s) below: 

Bayer BREEZE No Coding Study
Bayer CONTOUR No Coding Study PDF
No Coding Patient Paper PDF

Use of Miscoded Blood Glucose Meters Can Result in Significant Errors in Insulin Dose:

AADE Poster PDF
AADE Abstract PDF

You can obtain reprints of the following study about the benefits of no coding by clicking on the link below:

Improving the Quality of Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose Measurement: A Study in Reducing Calibration Errors Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics 8(3) p 347-357, 2006

Which Meters Need to be Coded?

Most meters on the market today require manual coding of the meter. Some of the more commonly used meters that need coding* are:

Precision Xtra™
Accu-Chek® Advantage
Accu-Chek^® Active
Ascensia ELITE^®/XL
OneTouch^® Ultra
OneTouch^® UltraSmart^®
FreeStyle^®
FreeStyle Flash^®

If you are unsure whether your meter is coded properly, click on the name of your meter (above) and follow the instructions for manually coding the meter.

Caution: If you found that your meter code did not match the code on the box of test strips you are using, please make your doctor or diabetes educator aware that your recent test results may have been inaccurate.

Ascensia^® meters that DO NOT Require Coding:

• Ascensia^® BREEZE^® Blood Glucose Monitoring System

• Ascensia^® CONTOUR^® Blood Glucose Monitoring System

Coding Instructions*

*Always refer to your product labels for the current competitor coding instructions because they may change.

Precision Xtra™

The Precision Xtra is calibrated using a calibrator device included in each box of strips.

* Calibrate the monitor every time you open a new box of strips using the calibrator included in each box.

* Calibrating your monitor will ensure that you get accurate results from each box of test strips.

1. 1. Remove contents from the test strip box.

2. 2. Verify that the 5 digit numbers on the package insert, the calibrator and the test strip foil match.

3. 3. Remove the calibrator bar from its package. Locate the corner with the 3 dots. Peel film back to open.

4. 4. With the lot number facing up, insert the contact bars of the calibrator into the monitor until it stops.

5. 5. The monitor will turn on automatically and will display the lot number.

6. 6. Verify that the lot number displayed matches the lot number on the calibration bar.

7. 7. Discard the calibrator after all glucose test strips from that box have been used.
   

Accu-Chek^® Advantage

To check the code, insert the code key into the meter. Turn the meter on. Make sure the code on the display matches the code on the vial. If both codes match, the meter has been properly coded.

Accu-Chek^® Active

The Accu-Chek Active meter is coded using an orange code key.

* Every time you open a new box of test strips, you need to set the meter to match the code number on the vial of test strips you are using. This ensures that the meter reads the test strips accurately. 

1. 1. Remove the orange code key from the test strip box. Compare the three numbers on the code key with the code number printed on the test strip vial.These two numbers must be identical. If they are not identical, you may get inaccurate results.Remove the old code key if one is already inserted.

2. 2. Insert the new code key so that the side with the code number is visible as you look at the display. Gently push it until it snaps into place. Hold the ridged end of the code key between your thumb and finger. Insert the code key with the printed side visible. The code key should slide easily into the meter.

3. 3. The same code number appears on the meter disply when you insert a test strip.

Ascensia ELITE^®/XL

1. Tear open the clear plastic packet found in the new carton of Test strips and remove the Code strip.

2. Insert Code Strip firmly into the test slot until it stops. A beep sounds and a full display appears briefly.

3. Another beep sounds and the Code Number (F-5 is the only strip available in the US) appears in the display.

4. Remove the Code Strip and store it in the original plastic packet.

OneTouch^® Ultra

To check the code, insert a test strip into the meter or press the "M" button. Once the meter turns on, compare the code number on the meter display (located on the upper left-hand corner of the display screen) with the code found on the test strip vial. If both codes match, the meter has been properly coded. The blood drop symbol will appear when the meter is ready for testing. The OneTouch Ultra has 49 possible codes.

OneTouch^® UltraSmart^®

To check the code, insert a test strip into the meter or press the "M" button. Once the meter turns on, compare the code number on the meter display (located on the upper left-hand corner of the display screen) with the code found on the test strip vial. If both codes match, the meter has been properly coded. The blood drop symbol will appear when the meter is ready for testing. The OneTouch Ultra has 49 possible codes.

FreeStyle^®

With the meter turned off, insert a new test strip into the meter. After the meter turns on and and the "Code" screen appears on the display, check the code displayed on the screen against the code outlined in the blue box on the test strip vial currently in use. The code numbers must match in order to ensure accurate results. (Use the "C" button to scroll forward. Use the "M" button to scroll backward.) The blood drop and test strip symbols will appear when ready. The FreeStyle has 50 possible codes.

FreeStyle Flash^®

With the meter turned off, insert a new test strip into the meter. After the meter turns on and and the "Code" screen appears on the display, check the code displayed on the screen against the code outlined in the blue box on the test strip vial currently in use. The code numbers must match in order to ensure accurate results. (Use the "C" button to scroll forward. Use the "M" button to scroll backward.) The blood drop and test strip symbols will appear when ready. The FreeStyle has 50 possible codes.

Trademarks

Accu-Chek^® Compact Plus
Accu-Chek^® Advantage
Accu-Chek^® Active

Accu-Chek^®, Advantage, Accu-Chek^® Active, and Accu-Chek^® Compact Plus are trademarks of a member of the Roche group.

OneTouch^® Ultra OneTouch^® and UltraSmart^® are trademarks of Johnson & Johnson Corporation.

Freestyle^® and Freestyle Flash^® are trademarks of Abbott Diabetes Care Inc.

Precision Xtra™ is a trademark of Abbott Laboratories.