Is there a difference in BGL levels?
A patient presented with an episode of near syncope after standing. Patients B/P 140/90, cardiac monitor sinus without ectopy, no orthostatic changes, 12 lead without ST changes. The patient was conscious and lucid throughout contact, warm and dry skin really in no apparent distress. The Pt did have an extensive heart history and as a new onset diabetic, who by his own admission is very non-compliant.
Our treatment was oral glucose and juice, the patient went on to explain episode of fever and diarrhea increased stress from work and so on. It was our advice for the patient to seek medical evaluation, he agreed, follow up evaluation of BGL at the start of IV after 10 minutes or so which showed an expected increase in BGL at 96. On arrival at the ED Pt BGL 108 without further change.
The statement from the ER doc was that there is a 10 to 20% difference between capillary blood and venous blood, further, that all pre-hospital accu-check type BGL testing devices are calibrated to test capillary blood only. I was caught off guard by his statement;
I have not been able to find any information that supports his claim as to a difference between the two in testing with a finger stick v/s IV catheter return.
Anyone have the answer?