Interference of Accel® wipes with LifeScan SureStep® Flexx glucose meters

Objectives: To investigate the cause of a persistent test strip error code, error 2b, appearing on LifeScan SureStep® Flexx glucose meters (Johnson and Johnson, Rochester, USA). Design and Methods: SaniCloth Plus® (The Dynarex Corporation, Orangeburg, USA), CaviWipes XL® (Metrex, Orange, USA), and Accel® (HANSA Med Ltd., Mississauga, Canada) sanitizing agents were tested in an attempt to reproduce the error. Results: The error 2b code was encountered when the Accel® was used as a cleaning agent, but not when SaniCloth Plus® or CaviWipes XL® were used. Conclusions: The hydrogen peroxide contained in Accel® (HANSAmed, Ltd., Mississauga, Canada) interferes with the glucose oxidase reaction on the test strip, causing the error 2b code.