Certain blood glucose meters manufactured by Abbott Diabetes Care may not work properly if they have been dropped onto a hard surface, such as the floor. A warning to this effect was released by Abbott and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) earlier this month.
The following blood glucose meter models, if manufactured after January 31, 2007, are affected by this announcement:
- Precision Xtra
- Optium
- ReliOn Ultima
- Rite Aid
- Kroger
If one of these meters is dropped, its display screen may become partially or totally blank, making it difficult or impossible to read blood glucose monitoring results, strip lot numbers, or the date.
To reduce the chance of such damage occurring, Abbott advises that people keep their blood glucose meters in the cases that come with them. If a meter is dropped, the user should perform a meter display check (instructions for doing so are in the user’s guide that comes with the meter). If the display check reveals no problems with the meter’s display, the meter can be used. If a meter’s display is damaged, it should not be used, and customers can contact Abbott for a free replacement meter at (877) 844-4404. They can also call this number if they have any questions about their meter or need to find out when it was manufactured.
For more information about this warning, including images of affected meters with functioning and malfunctioning displays, visit Abbott’s online information page here.