FAQ Listing
How do I get the USB cable?
The required USB cable is a standard Micro-USB cable available from most electrical retailers; the meter kit does not include a standard Micro-USB cable.
Will my data be lost when the batteries are removed?
Don’t worry—your information will be saved when you change the batteries.
Can I delete stored results?
It is not possible to delete stored results.
Are any of the materials used in the lancets likely to cause an allergic reaction?
Reports of an allergic reaction to the lancets are extremely rare. The lancets are not silicon coated and are latex free. The lancets are made of stainless steel, approved for medical purposes. This steel contains 18 % Chromium and approximately 9 % Nickel.
What if I have problems changing to the next lancet?
Check the lancet window to see whether there are any white bars or numbers visible in the lancet display. If there are no bars visible or the number 1 is displayed, you are using the last lancet and the lancet drum needs to be changed for a new lancet drum.
Can I use a test strip from another Accu-Chek system in the Accu-Chek Performa blood glucose meter?
No. Accu-Chek Performa blood glucose meters are designed exclusively for use with Accu-Chek Performa test strips.
Does the Accu-Chek Multiclix lancing device contain latex?
No, the Accu-Chek Multiclix lancing device does not contain latex.
What test strips are used with the Accu-Chek Guide meter?
The Accu-Chek Guide system uses Accu-Chek Guide test strips, which offer an easy-edge dosing area and accurate results with just a small drop of blood. In addition, they come in a spill-resistant SmartPack vial that makes it easy to remove just one strip at a time. The Accu-Chek Guide meter is not compatible with other Accu-Chek test strips.
What batteries are used with the Accu-Chek Spirit Combo insulin pump?
The Accu-Chek Spirit Combo insulin pump uses 1 AA battery (LR6 1.5 V AA alkaline, FR6 1.5 V AA lithium or 1.2 V rechargeable NiMH HR6 AA). You must select the correct battery type in the insulin pump setup when you replace your battery.
Do NOT use carbon-zinc, nickel-cadmium (NiCd) or super heavy duty batteries.
Can I wear the insulin pump during air travel / in the airplane?
It is possible to use the Accu-Chek Spirit Combo insulin pump during air travels. However there are some aspects which need to be considered:
1. Please disconnect your infusion set during take-off and landing. Rapid and extreme changes in air pressure, for example in an air plane that is taking off or landing can influence insulin delivery, especially if there are air bubbles in the cartridge or tubing.
2. Turn off Bluetooth communication between pump and meter to ensure flight safety instructions.
At which altitudes above sea level can the Accu-Chek Spirit Combo pump be used?
The barometric pressure during operation should be 50 to 106 kPa (500 to 1060 mbar). That means the theoretically allowed altitude range for the Accu-Chek Spirit Combo insulin pump is 5.643 meter to -360 meter.
How accurate is the new system?
The Accu-Chek Guide system uses a new testing platform and benefits from the strict Roche manufacturing requirements to provide reliable, accurate test results. In fact, the Accu-Chek Guide system delivers accuracy beyond the minimum requirement of industry standards. 1
1According to the ISO 15197:2013 standard, 95% of all bG results must be ±15 mg/dL of the laboratory reference when bG levels are below 100 mg/dL. At bG levels above 100 mg/dL, 95% of all bG results must be within ±15% of the laboratory reference.
What batteries are used with the Accu-Chek Aviva/Performa Combo meter?
The Accu-Chek Aviva/Performa Combo meter uses 3 AAA (1.5V) alkaline batteries.
What is occlusion detection?
Early occlusion detection is an important factor for safe and effective insulin pump therapy.
An occlusion is an unexpected event where the flow of insulin from a pump into the subcutaneous tissue is blocked.
The patient is typically not aware that an occlusion has occurred.
Due to missed insulin, a malfunction can often result in elevated bG levels, which if undetected can lead to hyperglycemia or Ketosis with the risk for the development of life threatening Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA).1
With its faster occlusion detection, the Accu-Chek Combo system may help to reduce the severity of hyperglycemia and minimizes the risk of ketoacidosis resulting from occlusions.
1.Guilhem I et al., Technical risks with subcutaneous insulin infusion. Diabetes Metab 2006, Vol. 32, p. 279 – 284.
How long does the battery last?
Battery life depends on Accu-Chek Spirit Combo insulin pump use, including daily insulin requirements, frequency of delivery and backlight usage.
For example
If used in a typical usage pattern of 50 Units / day using U100 insulin and normal operating temperature (23 °C ±2 °C [73 °F ±4 °F]) the battery life is approximately:
Alkaline: 70 days for Bluetooth ® off; or 30 days for Bluetooth ® on
Lithium: 200 days for Bluetooth ® off; or 80 days for Bluetooth ® on
NiMH: 100 days for Bluetooth ® off; or 40 days for Bluetooth ® on
Is radiation from Bluetooth harmful? Is it dangerous for pregnant women?
The Accu-Chek Combo system complies with specific absorption rate (SAR) limits in Canada and the U.S. to eliminate any health hazards. The SAR limit for mobile phones and devices of this type is 1.6 W/kg.1 The average SAR level of exposure from the Accu-Chek Spirit Combo insulin pump is 0.00089 W/kg.
1Federal Communications Commission. Radio Frequency Safety. Available at: www.fcc.gov/oet/rfsafety/sar.html. Accessed June 22, 2015.
What is an insulin pump?
An insulin pump is designed to deliver insulin continuously under the surface of the skin. It may also be referred to as continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion or CSII. A pump helps keep blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible. A landmark scientific study showed that maintaining blood glucose levels at or near normal levels greatly decreases the likelihood of complications from diabetes.1
1Diabetes Control and Complications Trial Research Group. The effect of intensive treatment of diabetes on the development and progression of long-term complications in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. New Engl J Med. 1993;329:977-986.
What type of batteries are used?
The Accu-Chek Guide system uses two readily available CR2032 lithium coin batteries.
Do I need to code the Accu-Chek Aviva Combo meter?
The Accu-Chek Aviva/Performa Combo meter offers simple 1-time coding. You'll see that the red-and-white test strip package includes a black code key. Your meter should already have a black code key inserted. Just leave it in place. Your meter is already coded.
Can I use a lancet more than once?
Always use a new lancet when you obtain blood. In doing this, you reduce the risk of infection, and obtaining blood remains virtually pain-free.
What types of insulin can I use with the Accu-Chek Spirit Combo insulin pump?
You can use U100 rapid-acting insulin.
What is the right way to clean the Accu-Chek Multiclix lancing device and how often should I clean it?
Clean your lancing device regularly to keep it in good working condition. If any blood gets on it, always wipe it away immediately. Clean the outside of the lancing device only. Wipe it once a week with a cloth lightly moistened with water. To disinfect, use 70 % isopropanol. Check your package insert for detailed instructions on how to clean the lancing device.
What is the difference between the Accu-Chek FastClix and the Accu-Chek Multiclix lancing devices?
The major improvements of the Accu-Chek FastClix lancing device when compared to the Accu-Chek Multiclix lancing device are:
1-Click action: Prime and release in one step by pressing the release button only once
Intuitive lancet change by sliding the lever back and forth
Easy penetration depth setting by rotating the cap located at the end of the lancing device
Smaller in size than the Accu-Chek Multiclix lancing device for more convenience
What type of insulin is used with a pump?
Your healthcare professional will prescribe the insulin that is appropriate for you. An insulin pump delivers a continuous supply of fast-acting insulin, so long-acting insulin is not needed. Because fast-acting insulin has more predictable absorption than intermediate or long-acting insulin, your blood glucose levels can be better controlled.
What happens if expired lancets are used?
The use of an expired lancet (drum) may cause an infection at the puncture site as the lancet may have lost its sterility. We guarantee 4 years of sterility from the date of sterilization, so you have plenty of time to use up your lancets.
What if I draw no blood at all?
This can be caused by several reasons:
The penetration depth is too shallow for your skin. Please select a higher penetration depth setting.
The lancing device needs to be pressed firmly against the skin
Check to ensure a lancet drum is inserted in the lancing device.
Please also check the instructions of use of the lancing device.
Can I reuse a lancet drum?
No, this is not possible. Safety hooks prevent accidental reuse of a used lancet drum. A used lancet drum is easily recognized by the red stripes.
Can I re-select a lancet used before?
No, for safety and hygienic reasons, once you have changed the lancet this is not possible.
How does the Accu-Chek lancing devices help reduce pain?
The Accu-Chek FastClix, Accu-Chek Softclix and Accu-Chek Multiclix lancing devices use the unique Clixmotion technology. The Clixmotion technology is the principle of guided lancet motion, meaning that both the forward and return motion of the lancet is precisely controlled, with minimized vibrations and oscillations. This special guided motion is the key to gentle blood sampling. The lancet needs just a few milliseconds to penetrate the skin with a motion designed to minimize lateral movement and reduce the sensation of pain as fewer nerve endings are disturbed. In the skin, the lancet is brought to a precise stop and then actively retracted immediately. This fast, controlled lancet motion helps to reduce the risk of skin and nerve-end damage.
How do I connect the Accu-Chek 360° reader to my insulin pump or blood glucose meter?
The Accu-Chek 360°diabetes management system automatically detects your Accu-Chek blood glucose meter or insulin pump when it is placed near the reader or meter USB cable is plugged into the computer. With just 1 click, you can download results to your computer.
Can the Accu-Chek 360° diabetes management system be used in any other languages?
Yes. The system lets you choose from 14 languages—English, Simplified Chinese, Danish, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, and Turkish.
Is there a pre-filled cartridge for the Accu-Chek Spirit Combo insulin pump?
No. The Accu-Chek Spirit Combo insulin pump uses a sterile, single-use 3.15 mL plastic cartridge. This provides the flexibility to choose the brand of U100 insulin you want to use.
How do I set or change the time and date on my meter?
Watch this short video to see how easy it is to set the date and time.
Your meter comes with the batteries already installed and a preset time and date. You may need to change the time to match your time zone or, if you live in a state that observes daylight saving time, to reflect the time change.
To change these settings:
Press and release the On/Off button to turn the meter on. The flashing test strip symbol appears. NOTE: If this is the first time your meter has been turned on, it will automatically enter the set-up mode, and "Set-up" and the hour will flash on the display. Skip to Step 3 to change the time or, if the date and time are correct, press and hold the On/Off button to exit the set-up mode.
To enter the set-up mode, press and hold the On/Off button for about four seconds. “Set-up” and the hour flash on the display.
Press and release the arrows to decrease or increase the hour. Press and hold the arrows to scroll faster.
Press and release the On/Off button to set the hour. The minutes flash.
Repeat steps 3 and 4 to set the minutes, AM/PM, month, day and year. The flashing field is the one you are changing.
Once you set the correct time and date, press and hold the On/Off button until the flashing test strip symbol appears.
Which other drums or lancets are compatible for use with the Accu-Chek FastClix lancing device?
Due to its unique drum mechanism, only the Accu-Chek FastClix lancet drum can be used in the Accu-Chek FastClix lancing device.
Is it possible to use the old test strip with the new meter?
Yes, it is possible.
Where can I get an Accu-Chek Guide meter?
Ask your doctor/pharmacist/diabetes specialist for the Accu-Chek Guide meter.
How do I run a control test?
The Accu-Chek Performa blood glucose meter automatically recognizes Accu-Chek Performa Control Solutions, so running a control test is easier than ever. First, wipe the tip of the control bottle. Then put the meter on a flat surface, insert the strip, and squeeze a drop of the control solution onto the front edge of the test strip. A result appears with a flashing “L”. Press one of the arrow keys once to indicate a Level 1 control test or twice to indicate Level 2. Press the ON/OFF button to set the level in the meter. The control result and “OK” alternate in the display if the result is in range.
Where can I find out what an error code or screen message is telling me?
Visit your meter' Screen Messages page for a list of messages and definitions or download the User Manual for your meter.
What type of battery is used?
The meter uses 1 3-volt lithium coin cell battery (type CR 2032) found in many stores.
How does Roche assure that the Accu-Chek Performa system provides accurate results?
Roche goes above and beyond to deliver safe, accurate and dependable products.
For every lot of Accu-Chek test strips, containing millions of strips, one out of every 100 vials is tested for consistency of performance
Vials representative of the entire lot are tested a second time, some in a lab setting and others with blood from actual people with diabetes to reflect a real-world environment As a result of our quality assurance process, we won’t release affected test strips when any of the samples show a reading outside our accepted limits.
Is the Accu-Chek Performa system approved for use in clinical settings such as hospitals?
The Accu-Chek Performa meter is not approved for use in clinical settings in the United States and Canada, although the Accu-Chek Performa meter is cleared to test capillary, venous, arterial, and neonatal blood samples.
Can I use an expired test strip?
No, check the use by date on the test strip container. Do not use test strips past the use by date.
What can I use to clean and disinfect the meter?
70% isopropyl alcohol
Mild dishwashing liquid mixed with water
10% household bleach solution (1 part bleach plus 9 parts water) made the same day
Can I delete stored results?
With the new Accu-Chek Performa blood glucose meters, it is not necessary to delete stored results. Once 500 blood sugar (glucose) results are in the memory, adding a new result causes the oldest one to be deleted.
What are the main differences between the old and the new Accu-Chek Active meters?
This meter comes with a totally new design, a 30 % size reduction and an improved feature set-up. New features include the postprandial reminder and 90-day average reading. Also, the new meter display is now 10 % bigger and offers easier readability.
Do I lose the memory or the time and date setting when changing the battery?
The stored values will be kept in the meter at all times: they cannot get lost when changing the battery. If the battery change is done according to the user instructions (empty battery stays in the meter until new battery is available to be inserted) the time and date settings remain stored in the meter as well.
Can the Accu-Chek Multiclix lancing device be used on more than one person?
No, the Accu‑Chek Multiclix lancing device is intended for personal use only! It is only allowed to be used to obtain blood from one person. There is a risk of infections being transmitted if the lancing device is used by other people, even by family members, or if healthcare professionals use this lancing device to obtain blood from different people.
What are the main differences between the old and the new Accu-Chek Active test strips?
There are 2 main differences:
The Accu-Chek Active test strip uses a new chemistry, eliminating clinically relevant interferences with maltose.
The color of both the test area on the test strip and code chip is now green.
Does an insulin pump work better than injections?
An insulin pump can be superior to daily injections for many reasons—the greatest being that its use provides for a much greater ability to manage and control diabetes. The insulin pump provides a continuous flow of insulin, which minimizes unwanted variation of insulin action you may experience with multiple injections. The pump also gives you a precise dose of insulin based on your current needs—even as those needs change.
However, despite the advantages of using an insulin pump, success stills depend on how well you take care of yourself. Eating well, staying active, testing blood glucose frequently are all important aspects of optimizing your health. When in the hands of a person committed to better health, supported by an experienced healthcare team, insulin pump therapy can make managing diabetes easier and far more flexible than ever before.
How do I change the batteries?
To replace the batteries:
Open the battery door on the back of the meter by pushing the tab toward the door, and pull the door up and open.
Push the “hand” button to release the old batteries, then simply slide them out.
With both of the plus signs facing up, slide the new batteries under the black tabs and the hand button.
Replace the battery door and snap it closed.