Glucometer Correction Factor for Hematocrit Effect in the ICU

Problem: Hematocrit effect, the influence of non-optimal hematocrit on the accuracy of glucose analyzers, poses a patient safety risk when tight glucose control is desired. The combination of tight glucose management and restrictive blood transfusion policies has brought about a situation not anticipated when the widespread use of point-of-care glucose testing became the standard of care. Utilizing devices in the intensive care unit that were originally intended for home use by hyperglycemic diabetics with normal hematocrits has proved problematic.