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The accuracy of the glucose reagent strip, Chemstrip bG, for the determination of the presence of hypoglycemia, euglycemia, or hyperglycemia was assessed in the prehospital setting when used by paramedics treating patients with an altered level of consciousness. Venous blood specimens were obtained from each of sixty-two patients. Serum glucose levels of the sample were determined by paramedics in the field using the Chemstrip bG and within three hours after sample acquisition by standard laboratory techniques. The sensitivity and specificity of detecting true hypoglycemia (serum glucose<61 mg/dl) using the field reagent strips were 100% and 83.3% respectively. The corresponding 95% lower limits of confidence (LLC) were 81.3% and 83 .3%. The sensitivity and specificity of field detection of the absence of hypoglycemia (serum glucose ≥ 61 mg/dl) were 86.6 % (LLC=80.9%) and 100% (LLC=81.3%) respectively. The accuracy of the reagent strips is specific but not sensitive for the determination of the presence of hyperglycemia (serum glucose > 179 mg/dl). Thus, the Chemstrip bG is an accurate means for the rapid identification of the presence or absence of hypoglycemia in the field setting by paramedics.

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