Alternate Site Testing - ReliOn Premier VOICE User Manual

Alternate Site Testing

What is AST (Alternate Site Testing)?
When someone tests their glucose, they usually take the blood
sample from the tip of the finger.
However, since there are many nerve endings in the fingertip, it
can be quite painful. When doing a glucose test, using different
parts of the body, such as the forearms, palms, thighs and calves,
can reduce the pain during testing.
This method of testing with different parts of the body is called
Alternate Site Testing. While AST may reduce the pain during
testing, it may not be simple for everyone and the following
precautions should be observed during testing.
Alternate Sites for Testing
Alternate Site Blood Sampling
(forearm, palm, thigh, calf)
Select a clean, soft and fleshy sample site area free of visible
veins and hair, and away from bones.
Gently massage the sample site to help blood circulation to
minimize result differences between fingertip and alternate
site sampling.
Firmly press and hold the lancing device against site. Wait until
the skin surface under the lancing device changes color. Then
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