a new blood test for diabetic patients.

The One Touch II meter offers the Island's many diabetics -- estimated to be between 12 and 18 percent of the population -- a more convenient and less painful way to receive a blood test.

Blood is obtained by a mere prick of the finger. Results are then taken from the digital meter within 45 seconds compared to the old method which required blood samples to be sent to the laboratory.

LifeScan, which provides equipment to KEMH, introduced the new One Touch II Hospital Blood Glucose Monitoring System to the American Diabetes Association last month.

While regulatory organisations are unanimous in their requirement of a minimum of two quality control tests to be run each day on blood glucose levels of diabetic patients, how those tests are performed is left largely up to each institution.

"This can create a significant burden on hospital management,'' LifeScan hospital programmes divisions manager Mrs. Marilyn Negley said.

The new meter also helps control infection by limiting blood contact. It uses disposable test strip holders and individual patient starter kits.