The modern management of hospitalized patients with diabetes includes capillary blood glucose determinations at the bedside. This measure is analogous to an additional “vital sign” for people with diabetes. The rapidity with which results can be obtained, and therapeutic decisions made, can improve management and conceivably shorten hospital stays. Replacing venipunctures with capillary blood glucose tests enhances patient comfort. Bedside glucose determinations can be performed by adequately trained personnel. Use of bedside blood glucose monitoring requires 1) clear administrative responsibility for the procedure, 2) a well-defined policy/procedure manual, 3) a training program for those personnel doing the testing, 4) quality control procedures, and 5) regularly scheduled equipment maintenance (1). The frequency of measurement needs to be individualized. The essential elements of a bedside glucose monitoring program have been outlined in a published guideline (2).

1.
Sacks DB, Bruns DE, Goldstein DE, MacLaren NK, McDonald JM, Parrott M: Guidelines and recommendations for laboratory analysis in the diagnosis and management of diabetes melliutus.
Diabetes Care
25
:
750
–786,
2002
2.
The National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards:
Ancillary (Bedside) Blood Glucose Testing in Acute and Chronic Care Facilities: Approved Guideline
. Villanova, PA, National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards,
1994

Originally approved 1985. Most recent review/revision, 2002.