Some of you may remember that I use a Minimed 512 pump, and
that I tried out the BD Paradigm Link Meter designed to
communicate with the pump. After many communications with BD
(and Minimed) I abandoned their meter, as it was worthless
for more reasons than I can list. I resumed the use of my
Glucometer Elite, which, although it takes longer to obtain
a reading, has always given me believably accurate readings.
Out of the blue, I received a new BD Link meter yesterday.
It came with some accessories and strips and included a
letter which I will display below. You'll find my
interpretations of what I think they "were thinking" in the
brackets between what they actually said. Incidentally, the
meter and strips came with no control solution. The tech on
the phone said that I didn't need to use it!
"Dear Paradigm Link Blood Glucose Monitor User:
In order to provide you with the best products to optimally
manage your diabetes care, we are enclosing the lastest
Paradigm Link Blood Glucose Monitor with 50 BD Test Strips
at no cost to you [we failed you so miserably before, we
wanted another chance at your strip money].
As part of BD's continuous [which never existed before
today] quality improvement process, we monitor the
performance of our products in order to provide the best
possible experiences for our customers. Based on what we
have learned [that our product didn't even work and should
never have made it to market], we have made some internal
design changes to the Paradigm Link Blood Glucose Montior's
software to further enhance its performance[we completely
rebuilt the meter from scratch. That we had previously told
you the problem was with the strips, and not with the meter,
was because we didn't have a clue what we were doing].
We believe that the changes made to the monitor [i.e. the
new innards] should greatly improve your overall diabetes
management experience[not that anyone has continued to use
the bad meters we'd previously provided]. In clinical
testing [which had never been done before now], the Paradigm
Link Blood Glucose Monitor with the new software generated
fewer[we admit that 25%-50% was more than most of our
customers were willing to accept] E-3 messages [hopefully
you won't mind some errors at only $1 per pop. It's only
your hard earned dollars we hope to collect]. The new
software is expected to also extend the life of the
battery[but since we leave the testing up to our customers
in the field, you'll have to tell us if we're right].
We hope that because you check your blood glucose
frequently, you appreciate the added value that results from
combined use of the Paradigm Link Blood Glucose Monitor and
the Paradigm insulin pump. The latest Paradigm Link Blood
Glucose Monitor delivers all the features and beneftis of
the original design:
Automatic communication between your Paradigm
insulin pump and the Paradigm Link Blood Glucose
Monitor with radio frequency technology. Send test
results to your pump without the need to take it
out. No other system offers the flexibility this
technology delivers.
Results in just 5 seconds: No other monitor gives
you faster results.
One of the smallest blood volumes (0.3 microliters).
No strip requires less blood.
50% less pain* [we're not sure how the new monitor
gives you less pain, but we didn't know how else to
get this mentioned] using the 33-gauge, BD Ultra-
Fine 33-gauge Lancets, the thinnest lancets
available.
The BD Test Strips you are currently using [when we were
insisting the E-3 errors were strip related, we still had
no idea what we were doing] are compatible with this
Paradigm Link Blood Glucose Monitor and there is no need to
return your current monitor to us[as it is worthless]. As a
thank you for trying the latest Paradigm Link Blood Glucose
Monitor, we have included a complimentary Blockbuster video
rental gift card with microwavable popcorn [this may not be
the best food for all, but.....]. Begin using your new
meter today and enjoy a movie rental and popcorn
compliments of BD!
*in BD Lancet Device when compared to 28-gauge lancets in
other devices. Data on file at BD."
In their defense, I used the meter for a single test,
and the reading I got was within 2% of my Glucometer, so
they may have finally done the job right. If you've read
this far, you probably realize that I am somewhat
cynical. 🙂 I shall compare meters for awhile, and
report back my findings.