Background: The technique of monitoring patient’s blood glucose using a glucose meter is most useful as an
adjunct therapy with pharmacological treatments against diabetes mellitus. The value and effectiveness of selfmonitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is affected by the patient’s SMBG knowledge and skill. This paper aimed
to quantify the impact of washing hands on accuracy result of capillary blood glucose measurements among
diabetic patients. Patients and method: Quasi-experimental research design was conducted to meet the study's
objective. In the internal medicine department at Assiut university hospital, Egypt. Sixty adult patients were
eligible according to the inclusion criteria were enrolled. An interview questionnaire involved patients'
demographic characteristics, clinical data, and knowledge regarding self-monitoring of blood glucose. Results:
the mean blood glucose readings before washing hands were74.37± 86.594 mg / dl, 225.66± 85.973 mg / dl
respectively after washing hands, and after peeling an orange followed by no washing hands were
349.03±90.084 mg / dl. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that there was a statistically significant
difference between washing hands and accuracy results of capillary blood glucose measurements.
Recommendations: All patients should be advised to wash their hands with water and soap before performing
the test.