Comments on: Since when does the fire station give free blood sugar exams?

By: lapcatmom

lapcatmom — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 01:54:59 +0000

I think you have to be a registered nurse to do the finger stick even.

You might try calling your local health department and ask where you could get a simple blood test for free. I know the county hospitals here will help you even with your medication if you are unable to afford it.

Good luck!
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By: Gary B

Gary B — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 01:14:59 +0000

No Big Deal. You buy a Glucometer for about $60, and 100 strips costs about $60. the STRIP is the ONLY thing that touches human blood, and each strip is used ONCE then thrown away — just like in the doctor’s office. It take NO special training to use the meter, and most firemen have some EMT training, anyway.

the PROBLEM is that ONE random reading tells you NOTHING. Without a complete medical history AND a complete daily history of your diet, exercise, and medications, random one-time tests can give a really bad false impression. And it works both ways. normal people are left scared spitless that they have diabetes because they get a one-time 130 reading, and diabetic patients are given a false feeling of security when they get a one-time 100 reading.

The ONLY way to get meaningful results is from the doctors office, using the A1C test.

And NO, this is NOT a country wide program for ALL fire stations. It is just a "Public Service" from anyone who wants to do it.
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By: Babe

Babe — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 00:44:59 +0000

Are you sure it isn’t the blood PRESSURE checks they are doing? That is what is being done at fire stations in California.

Since the blood sugar test requires a quick stick in your finger to get the blood, the fire department might not be willing to do it.

All you can do is either give them a call in your local area and confirm, or walk in and ask…
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By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 00:23:59 +0000

It sounds logical here in my area (VA) because the fire departments also do rescue services. As part of that, they’re able to do a blood-glucose test.. it’s about the same as what you’d get from a normal over the counter meter, although probably a little more accurate.

Yeah, I’d say give them a call and ask, if you’re curious.

Edit: You can’t do a blood test without a blood sample. I don’t know what Wal-Mart does, but given the choice, I’d trust the fire department more than Wal-Mart. Usually the amount of blood required is so small, they can just do a finger-prick.
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By: serengeti_lion

serengeti_lion — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 23:39:59 +0000

No, not all fire stations do this. If your fire stations are, it must be some kind of local diabetes awareness effort or something.

Where I live, you can walk into any hospital and get a free and confidential HIV test. But that’s because we have one of the highest HIV+ rates in the United States.
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By: cowboydoc

cowboydoc — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 23:12:59 +0000

I lived in Vegas for twenty years. Why don’t you just stop in an ask them or call them. Who would be qualified to do this ? With all the med centers around Vegas, why not stop at one of them ?
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