Cutaneous Complication of CSII Therapy

Second, the effect of storage conditions before use on the performance of Ames Dextrostix was assessed. We divided bottles of Dextrostix into two groups at ambient laboratory temperature (24°C): group 1 was stored capped and group II was stored uncapped. Over a period of 2 mo blood samples were assayed using strips from each group and the results compared with those obtained using strips from previously unopened bottles (reference group). Results from both groups were similar to those from the reference group (Table 1), indicating that storage of Dextrostix under lessthan-ideal conditions does not significantly alter their accuracy. Finally, we investigated the effect of storage conditions after use to determine if Ames Dextrostix would maintain their initial developed color; the ability to reread the strips some time after the initial reading to check the original result would be useful in some clinical situations. We found that the developed color of Dextrostix, stored after use at ambient temperature in dessicated bottles, was unstable and faded rapidly in a nonuniform fashion. After 24 h the strips read only 34 ± 13% of their initial value. However, when stored singly, dessicated in a bottle at — 20°C, developed color was retained. Under the latter conditions, the readings 1 wk after use were 95 ± 5% of initial values. On removal of the strips from — 20°C to ambient temperature, the developed color remained stable for up to 2 h. Although storage at — 20°C tends to make rereading of Dextrostix inconvenient, it should be feasible in a hospital situation where strips used during the night could be checked the following morning. Patients on home glucose monitoring, who were in possession of a freezer, could have their results checked at a follow-up clinic visit.