General information
Healthcare providers may use self-monitoring devices in the patient’s diabetes care and to support the care regimen. Fimlab organises a tender competition for diabetes devices and supplies on behalf of the wellbeing services counties of Kanta-Häme, Central Finland and Pirkanmaa. The treatment units of the wellbeing services counties select the devices for each patient.
This page provides information and guidance for patients who are using self-monitoring devices for diabetes and have a care relationship with a service provider in the wellbeing services county of Central Finland, Pirkanmaa or Kanta-Häme. In treatment-related matters, always contact the healthcare unit responsible for your care.
Diabetes devices and user instructions
Accu-Chek Instant blood glucose meter
Accu-Chek Mobile blood glucose meter
CareSens Dual blood glucose and ketone meter
Dexcom G6 glucose sensor
Dexcom G7 glucose sensor
FreeStyle Libre2 glucose sensor
FreeStyle Libre 3 glucose sensor
mylife Ypsopump and CamAPS FX smart pump system
Omnipod DASH insulin pump
Omnipod 5 smart pump system
MiniMed 780G insulin pump
Frequently Asked Questions
Meters and strips for self-treatment
- Device user: If you experience technical issues, contact the device supplier’s product support service. If you need to replace a defective meter urgently, contact your own treatment unit or the distribution of treatment supplies.
Insulin pumps
- Device user: With technical issues and in emergencies, contact the device supplier. Pump suppliers have a 24/7 service for urgent cases. If your pump is damaged and still under warranty, the device supplier will replace the pump under warranty. If the pump is no longer under warranty, contact your treatment unit to order a new pump. If necessary, the treatment unit will instruct you to use a backup system (injection treatment) until the new pump is delivered. Contact your treatment unit if you have questions about the pump settings.
Sensors
- Device user: With technical issues and in emergencies, contact the device supplier. Otherwise, contact your treatment unit. The device supplier will replace a broken sensor free of charge.
- Check the expiration date on the strips.
- Have you accidentally left the strip vial open?
- Have you kept the strip vial in a place that is too hot or cold, e.g. on the windowsill or in the car? Has the strip vial frozen?
- Make sure your hands were clean.
- Did you wipe the first drop off, was the drop large enough, did you have to squeeze the finger to extract the blood?
- Try again with a new strip.
- Contact your treatment unit.
- If the meter screen is dark or the device does not switch on, replace the batteries, and make sure they are put in correctly.
- If the meter displays an error code, see the manual for the explanation and try to fix the problem.
- If the meter works unreliably, make sure the strip port is clean. Blood and dirt may prevent reliable measurement.
- Contact the product support of the device manufacturer
- Contact the distribution of treatment supplies or your treatment unit
You can record your blood glucose values in a self-monitoring notebook and/or in the mobile application available for your glucose meter.
You must pair the glucose meter with your mobile phone to transfer the data automatically to the application via Bluetooth. The application also enables the recording of other treatment data, including insulin doses, carbohydrates and exercise, which makes monitoring your treatment easier.
If you have an Accu-Chek Instant glucose meter, download the mySugr application from the application store.
Sort as mixed waste
Blood glucose test strips
Blood glucose test strips are disposed of as mixed waste, because they contain only very limited quantities of metal and electrodes.
Sensor applicators, insulin pump tubes (without the needle), empty insulin pens and containers
A sensor applicator is plastic and contains a small metal spring. You can sort the applicator as mixed waste. Insulin pump tubes without the needle as well as empty insulin pens and insulin containers can be disposed of as mixed waste.
Sort as board waste
Cardboard packaging
Sort as plastic waste
Plastic packaging of individually packaged products.
Plastic packaging protecting individual products, for example, infusion set wrapping, can be recycled as plastic.
Disposal at a pharmacy
Insulin pen needles, syringes, insulin pump cannulas and lancing device needles (lancets)
All products that contain a needle must be disposed of at a pharmacy. You can collect insulin pen needles, insulin pump cannulas and lancing device needles (lancets) in a hard container with a lid. For example, you can use an empty plastic bottle or glass jar with a screw cap or lid. Take the tightly sealed container to a pharmacy separately from other pharmaceutical waste.
Half-empty and full insulin pens
If there is insulin in an insulin pen or container, take it to a pharmacy. Note! Do not empty the insulin down the drain or in a rubbish bin.
Recycle electrical and electronic equipment
Blood glucose sensors and meters
Dispose of blood glucose sensors and meters as electrical and electronic waste. Waste electronic and electrical equipment (WEEE) can be recycled at waste stations, waste centres or electrical supply stores. Blood glucose meters come with batteries that must be removed before recycling. Used sensors have a battery that cannot be removed.
OmniPod pumps
Return used pumps to the supplier in a return box provided for the purpose. The manufacturer will take care of the pumps’ correct disposal. The products contain electronics, and they must not be disposed of together with mixed waste.
Recycle batteries
Batteries
Tape the ends of used batteries when you remove them from a device. Without taping, a battery poses a risk of fire at home and recycling points. You can recycle used batteries at waste stations, waste centres or groceries’ recycling points.
