Hematocrit levels can affect results whether the sample is obtained from a forearm or a finger stick. Hematocrit levels less than 30% may cause falsely high readings and hematocrit levels greater than 55% may cause falsely low readings. If the patient does not know their hematocrit level, they should consult their healthcare professional. Hematocrit levels may be affected by too much kneading during puncture site preparation.

FORA® blood glucose meter systems allow you to obtain a blood sample from an alternative site such as your palm, forearm, upper arm, calf, or thigh.

Notice: alternative site testing is not fit for everyone. It may have some limitations if you have just taken insulin and:
• You think your blood glucose is low. 
• The test results do not agree with how you feel. 
• You have an ill feeling. 
• You are unaware of symptoms when you become hypoglycemic. 

Alternative site results may be different than those from the fingertips when blood glucose levels are changing rapidly, such as after a meal or during and after exercise.

Sample size can affect the result. Always follow the instructions in the Owner’s Manual for applying blood to the test strip and make sure the blood sample has completely filled the test strip confirmation window. Do not attempt to add blood to the strip once you have moved the strip away from the test site.

• Keep your meter clean.
• Test your meter regularly with control solution.
• Store your meter and supplies properly. Heat and humidity can damage test strips.
• Close the vial cap promptly after removing a test strip.

For most FORA models, enter the control solution mode by inserting the test strip into the meter and then pressing the “M” button. The word “CTL” appears on the screen. Other FORA models may vary. Please refer to your user manual for the correct procedure.

No. What you are most likely noticing is the different way meters represent results. Some meters give “plasma” results while other meters give “whole blood” results. You may notice this difference because you have purchased a new meter and are comparing it with your old one, or are comparing it with lab test results you’ve received from your doctor. Many people expect that all blood glucose meters and lab test results will give the exact same result. After all, they’re measuring the same thing—the amount of glucose in your blood. But meters and lab equipment measure different parts of the blood and therefore give seemingly different results.

Other causes: 
1. Humidity or heat may have damaged the test strips. 
2. Expired or defective test strips. 
3. Insufficient amount and improper placement of blood on the test strips. 
4. The reading displayed on the meter is not within the normal range of numbers printed on the strip vial label. 
5. The meter may have been dropped, or its electrical components may be worn out. 
6. Meters and laboratory equipment may be calibrated or set to measure blood glucose in different ways and will give different results. 
7. User error: test strips may have been exposed to air longer than a few minutes.

Solutions:
1. Perform a quality control test to make sure your monitor is accurate and reliable. 
2. Follow set-up procedures by a healthcare professional; obtain professional training and guidance for the use of your particular meter. 
3. You can test your glucose level while your healthcare provider watches your technique to make sure you are using the meter correctly. 
4. Use test strips within 90 days after first opening or within 18 months from the production date. 
5. Storage condition for test strips is 39.2°F to 104°F, 10% to 85% R.H. 
6. Make sure the blood sample used for testing is capillary whole blood. 
7. Make sure the reading displayed on the meter is within the normal test range shown on the strips vial label. 
8. Make sure you are using fresh strips and supplies. 
9. Check your testing technique routinely with a professional. 
10. Follow the manufacturer’s meter instructions carefully. 
11. Don’t expose test strips to open air for more than a few minutes.

Control solution is used to check if the meter and test strips are properly working together as a system and that you are performing the test correctly. When you test a strip or meter using control solution instead of your blood, the number shown on the meter should be within the range printed on the label found on the vial where the strips are stored.

Meters: -4°F to 140°F below 95% R. H. (relative humidity). 
GOD Strips: 39.2°F to 104°F, below 85% R. H.
GDH strips: 35.6°F to 89.6°F, below 85% R. H.

• When you use the meter for the first time.
• Every time you open a new vial of FORA® test strips.
• Whenever you get unusual results.

Several factors could influence blood glucose readings.
1. Residual alcohol on the fingertip will cause falsely higher readings. So make sure either alcohol is air-dried or wiped dry with gauze.
2. If blood is smeared, the reading could become higher because the strip is just collecting serum, or lower if not enough blood is collected.
3. Patient’s health conditions because of:

a. Medications
b. Time and dose of insulin administered
c. HCT level
d. Interference factors in diet, such as vitamin C (ascorbic acid), glutathione (antioxidant), and uric acid (for GDH strips)
e. Hydration level for patients

4. Any recent food uptake will also increase glucose readings. Therefore a fasting glucose would be recommended if you need to compare to lab results.

1. You may be using a different control solution. Use ForaCare control solution only.

2. Control solution may have expired. Discard 90 days after opening.

3. Control solution should be at room temperature (68~77℉)

4. You should follow step 2 to perform this test as shown in the owner’s manual.

5. Gently shake the control solution, open it and place the vial cap on a flat surface. Discard the first drop and place the second drop on top of the vial cap and perform the test by touching the drop with the end of the strip at an angle.

6. The test strip may be corrupt; repeat the test with a new test strip.

It is possible your alarm has been set. To turn off the alarm, please follow the following steps:

• Remove the cover to the battery
• Press “Set” button until you get to the screen with the small alarm icon on the screen
• Screen will appear with ON or OFF and the ⏰ alarm clock icon. There are 4 different alarm settings
• Turn off the alarm by pressing the main button to OFF on each alarm setting and press the set button to proceed with the next settings

The lifespan of a battery will vary considerably with how it is used, how it is maintained and charged, temperature, and other factors such as frequency of testing.

Battery life expectancy is approximately the following:

(Brand of batteries may vary)

• Glucose meter using (2xAAA) = up to 1000 readings
• Glucose meter using (CR2032) = at least 500 readings
• Blood pressure meter using (4xAA) = at least 500 readings
• Blood pressure meter using (4xAAA) = at least 200 readings

For additional information, please refer to your Owner’s Manual. When the battery is nearly exhausted, the battery symbol will appear on the screen to warn you to replace the batteries soon.

Our meters fit a CR2032 3V or two AAA 1.5V or four AA 1.5V. The batteries can be purchased at most stores, such as retail stores, convenience stores, pharmacies, or supermarkets.

Error message: E-b/ Err 36
Battery power is too low to operate the meter. The meter will not operate until the batteries are replaced. 
Solution: You have to replace or charge the batteries soon.

Error message: E-U/ Err 24
Inserted a used test strip. A blood sample was input before the symbol for blood blinks. 
Solution: Wait for the “blood drop” symbol to blink then repeat the test.

Error message: E-F
Strip was removed soon after applying blood and not given enough time to be absorbed by the absorption hole.
Solution: Repeat the test with a new test strip using the proper amount of blood and wait for the test result.

Various causes may lead to this situation. 

• The batteries were inserted incorrectly or are missing in the battery compartment – please re-insert the batteries with the correct polarity or insert new batteries. 
• The batteries are exhausted or have low power and cannot turn the meter on. The meter will not be able to perform the test until the batteries are changed.
• Test strip was inserted upside down, backward or was not completely inserted – please re-insert the test strip correctly with the contact bars end first and the strip facing up.

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