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Finger pricking can be a painful experience especially when done multiple times daily. One way to minimize the pain associated with finger pricking is to obtain your blood sample from another part of your body. This is called Alternative Site Testing (AST).
Alternate Site Lancing Devices
There are many lancing devices that allow you to obtain a blood sample from alternate sites. We have complied a list of 4 alternate site lancing devices that are both affordable and reliable.
Stat TRIO
Features
- Armed indicator
- Less than 95.5 mm in length
- Lancet ejector
- 5 depth settings
- Very compact – Less than 95.5 mm in length
- Easy to grip – ergonomic design
- Optional AST cap with patented depth adjustment*
- Multi-language instructions for use – English & Spanish
- Works with ALL STAT-brand lancets and the majority of available lancets on the market
Stat Lite
Features
- 5 depth settings
- Very compact – less than 3.5” in length
- Easy to grip – ergonomic design
- Optional AST cap with patented depth adjustment*
- Multi-language instructions for use – English & Spanish
- Works with ALL STAT-brand lancets and the majority of available lancets on the market
EasyTouch
Features
- Alternate Site Testing (AST)
- Adjustable Depth
- Ejector to proper dispose of Twist Lancets
- Vibration Control During Puncture to Reduce Pain
- For Use with the Most Common Lancets
Specialty Medical
Features
- Adjustable tip: 5 settings to allow customization of penetration.
- Lancet ejector: no need to touch the lancet to dispose of it.
- Clear cap: allows lancing device to be used for alternate site testing.
- Comfortable: compatible with most lancets available in the market.
Why Alternate Site Testing?
Blood samples for glucose testing are traditionally taken from fingertips because they contain a lot of capillaries that provide a blood sample large enough for a reliable glucose reading. Having lots of capillaries in the fingertips also means having lots of nerve endings that make fingertips one of the most sensitive body tissues.
A study published at PubMed journal of neurology suggests that the ability of the body to deal with pain varies from part to part. Among all regions of the body surface the forehead and fingertips are the most sensitive to pain. Furthermore, the fingertips were found to be the area of highest spatial acuity (the ability to work out where something hurts), for both pain and touch.
To minimize the pain associated with daily finger pricking some blood glucose monitoring systems allow patients to obtain blood samples from areas other than fingertips. These areas are called alternative sites. Common alternative sites include the palm, the upper forearm, the abdomen, the calf and the thigh. Alternative sites are suitable substitutes because the surface of these areas contains fewer nerve endings than the fingertip.
Most glucose monitoring systems these days allow you to draw a blood sample from alternative sites. However, you must consult with your healthcare professionals before obtaining blood sample from areas other than your fingertips and verify the capability of alternative site testing with your test strips.
Please share your experience with alternate site testing by posting a comment below. Let readers know if you have used any of the above lancing devices or if you’re using a specific lancing device for alternate site testing.