Comparison of Glucose Measurement Techniques Using Venous and Capillary Blood Samples in Diabetics Regarding Patient Satisfaction

Aim: This study was conducted to compare the satisfaction of patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus regarding to blood glucose measurement based on the blood glucose measurement techniques (intravenous and capillary) used. Material and Method: A randomized controlled study conducted with 110 patients with diabetes mellitus. Patients were randomized into experimental group (n=55) and control group (n=55). Patient Information Form, Diabetes Fear of Injecting and Self-testing Questionnaire (D-FISQ) and Blood Glucose Measurement Patient Satisfaction Form were used in the study. The control group patients had their blood sugar measured using capillary blood from a finger prick. The experimental group patients had their blood glucose measured using venous blood obtained intravenously, followed by capillary blood glucose measurement from a finger prick. Results: There were statistically significant differences between the use of venous blood and intravenous blood glucose measurement by finger prick in the satisfaction of diabetic patients with the blood glucose measurement technique (P ˂ 0.05). Conclusion: The measurement of blood glucose using venous blood obtained by an intravenous catheter positively affects patient satisfaction compared to the finger prick technique of measuring capillary blood glucose in patients with diabetes.