Some individuals with limited dexterity may find the Partner difficult to operate, as its test strips are designed to receive the blood outside the machine, on a flat surface like a table, so there is no strip guide to aid correct finger placement. Others may appreciate this feature, as it allows movement of strip to sample site, where others require movement of sample site to meter. Be sure to follow all guidelines for reimbursement. For many monitors, the hardware is already in place, and adding speech compatibility should be a simple process. The National Federation of the Blind urges manufacturers to go the rest of the distance, and make talking versions of their monitors available to those diabetics who need and want them.
Warm water stimulates the flow of blood to the fingers.
A slightly longer lancet, with deeper penetration, may help some. This will help cause the finger to become engorged with blood. Hold the rubber band down with the thumb while lancing. Be sure to talk to your primary-care doctor about aspirin, and to your eye doctor as well, because blood thinners like enteric aspirin can increase the risk of retinopathy. By the time they get the finger to the test strip, the blood has fallen in the wrong place.