Well, since Brad hasn't asnwered, here's an answer re accuracy
from the parent of a diabetic.
Our son is trying to keep his blood sugars between 80 and 150
(g/deciliter, divide by 18 for Canadian/European MM/L).
A difference of 50 in blood sugar will mean a difference of 1
unit of insulin. For a "normal" range of 80 to 150 then, 85%
accuracy will mean a difference in reading of 12 to 22 1/2.
Notice that that will not even mean a difference of 1 unit in
insulin used. Down below 80, the important thing is that a
"low" blood sugar will give a low reading. A blood sugar of
50 for example would give a reading of 42.5 to 57.5 at 85% accuracy,
good enough, they both give the same signal, "low, take sugar".
At the high end, the readings can make a difference in treatment,
a reading of say 340 when the actual blood sugar is 400 would
mean 3 extra units of insulin instead of 5. From that a more
accurate reading would be better, but a whole lot of diabetics,
because of the inconvenience (and pain) of taking readings, only
take one or two readings a day, instead of the four that they
"should". For them, 4 85% accurate readings is a whole lot
better than 1 very accurate reading as is happening now.
Regards
JL |
