After you poke, if the drop of blood is too tiny, try massaging it and pumping it up. Remember, don't let go of the ear! Hold the tip of the strip (which you have pushed in all the way) right up to the droplet of blood and let the strip sip up the blood until the meter beeps.
Having a personal health record can be a lifesaver, literally. In an emergency you can quickly give emergency personnel vital information, such as a disease you're being treated for, previous surgeries or hospitalizations, medications you take, drug allergies, and how to contact your family doctor.
Medical records should include evidence of education in emergency evacuation and emergency preparedness, to include some measure of patient understanding, such as return teaching or demonstration.