The Mission Hb Hemoglobin Monitor is a portable point-of-care system designed for rapid measurement of hemoglobin from capillary or venous whole blood.

When used correctly with compatible Mission Hemoglobin Test Strips, the system requires approximately 10 µL of whole blood and provides an Hb result in under 15 seconds, together with a calculated hematocrit value.

However, users may occasionally experience problems such as:

• Meter not turning on

• Test strip not being recognised

• Test not starting

• Insufficient sample

• Unexpectedly high or low Hb result

• Different results on repeat testing

• Coding or calibration concerns

• Problems after strips have been exposed to heat or humidity

This troubleshooting guide explains what to check before assuming that the meter or test strips are defective.

First: Confirm That You Are Using the Correct Mission Hb System

Before troubleshooting anything else, confirm that you are using:

Mission Hb Hemoglobin Monitor

with

Mission Hemoglobin Test Strips designed for the Mission Hb system.

Hemoglobin test strips are system-specific.

Do not use strips intended for:

• TrueHb

• Quikchek Plus

• Mission Plus Hb cartridges

• Another hemoglobin meter

• Another point-of-care testing system

Two test strips may appear physically similar while using different chemistry, calibration or meter-reading technologies.

For a detailed explanation, read:

Mission Hb Test Strip Compatibility Guide

/blogs/knowledge-hub/mission-hb-test-strip-compatibility-guide

Quick Mission Hb Troubleshooting Checklist

Before repeating a test, check these eight things:

1. Correct Mission Hb strip?

2. Strip within expiry date?

3. Strip stored correctly?

4. Correct coding/calibration setup?

5. Strip inserted correctly?

6. Approximately 10 µL blood sample obtained?

7. Sample applied correctly?

8. Meter and strips being used within suitable operating conditions?

Many apparent meter problems can be traced to one of these areas.

Problem 1: Mission Hb Meter Does Not Turn On

If the Mission Hb meter does not switch on, begin with the power supply.

Check the Batteries

The Mission Hb monitor uses 3 AAA batteries.

Check whether:

• Batteries are installed.

• Batteries are inserted in the correct orientation.

• Battery contacts are clean.

• Batteries are depleted.

• Batteries have been stored for a long period.

• Different battery types or old and new batteries have been mixed.

If there is any doubt, install a fresh set of suitable batteries.

Check for Physical Damage

Inspect the meter for:

• Cracks

• Liquid exposure

• Damaged battery compartment

• Corrosion

• Damaged buttons

• Visible impact damage

If the meter has been dropped, immersed in liquid or physically damaged, further testing may be inappropriate until the instrument has been inspected.

Problem 2: Mission Hb Meter Does Not Recognise the Test Strip

If a test strip has been inserted but the meter does not respond correctly, check the following.

Confirm Strip Compatibility

Use only the test strips designed for the Mission Hb system.

Using a strip from another hemoglobin monitor is one of the first possibilities to exclude.

Check Strip Orientation

Remove the strip and inspect its orientation.

Reinsert it according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Do not force the strip into the meter.

If unusual force is required, stop and inspect both the strip and strip port.

Examine the Strip

Do not use the strip if it is:

• Bent

• Cracked

• Wet

• Contaminated

• Damaged

• Discoloured

• Previously used

Try a fresh strip from a correctly stored pack if necessary.

Inspect the Strip Port

Look for obvious contamination or obstruction around the meter's strip insertion area.

Do not insert sharp objects or liquids into the meter.

Clean the instrument only according to the manufacturer's recommended procedure.

Problem 3: The Strip Is Inserted but the Test Does Not Start

If the meter recognises the strip but testing does not begin after the specimen is applied, consider the sample.

The Mission Hb system requires approximately:

10 µL of whole blood

An inadequate sample can prevent proper testing or contribute to unreliable measurement.

Check whether:

• A sufficient blood sample was collected.

• The blood reached the correct sample area.

• The sample was applied in the required manner.

• The strip was already damaged or contaminated.

• Testing was delayed excessively after sample collection.

When a test has failed, use a new strip for the repeat measurement rather than reusing the original strip.

Problem 4: Not Enough Blood Was Obtained

Insufficient capillary blood is a common testing problem.

Before lancing:

• Warm cold hands naturally if necessary.

• Ensure the finger is clean and dry.

• Select an appropriate puncture site.

• Use an appropriate sterile lancet.

• Use the lancing device correctly.

Avoid excessive squeezing or repeated strong milking of the fingertip.

Aggressive squeezing may introduce additional tissue fluid into the blood specimen.

The aim is to obtain an adequate blood drop suitable for collecting approximately 10 µL.

Problem 5: Blood Was Applied Directly from the Finger

Sample volume is important with quantitative hemoglobin testing.

The Mission Hb system is designed around an approximately 10 µL specimen volume.

Applying an uncontrolled blood drop directly can make it more difficult to ensure that the required specimen volume has been delivered.

Where the supplied testing procedure uses a capillary transfer tube, follow that procedure.

Too little or too much blood may affect measurement accuracy.

Problem 6: Mission Hb Shows an Unexpectedly Low Result

An unexpectedly low Hb result should not automatically be assumed to represent either a meter failure or a medical diagnosis.

First review the testing process.

Check:

• Correct test strip used

• Strip expiry

• Strip storage

• Correct sample volume

• Capillary sampling technique

• Coding/calibration setup

• Meter operating conditions

• Strip condition

• Whether the result is reproducible

If the result remains unexpectedly low, particularly when inconsistent with the person's clinical condition or previous results, confirmation with an appropriate laboratory method may be necessary.

Problem 7: Mission Hb Shows an Unexpectedly High Result

Use the same systematic approach for an unexpectedly high result.

Review:

• Strip compatibility

• Strip expiry

• Sample collection

• Sample volume

• Strip filling

• Calibration/coding

• Storage conditions

• Environmental temperature

• Repeatability

Do not repeatedly perform tests until a preferred value appears.

If an abnormal or unexpected result persists, seek appropriate laboratory confirmation or professional medical evaluation.

Problem 8: Two Mission Hb Tests Give Different Results

Small analytical and biological differences can occur between repeated measurements.

However, a large difference should prompt a review of the procedure.

Possible factors include:

• Different sample volumes

• Poor capillary sampling technique

• Excessive finger squeezing

• Incomplete strip filling

• Variation between separate blood drops

• Strip damage

• Incorrect storage

• Testing outside recommended operating conditions

• Instrument or quality-control problems

If repeating the test, use:

• A new test strip

• A properly collected fresh specimen

• Correct technique

• The same properly functioning Mission Hb system

Do not reuse the first strip.

Problem 9: Mission Hb Result Is Different from a Laboratory CBC Result

A portable point-of-care hemoglobin monitor and an automated laboratory hematology analyser are different measurement systems.

Differences can occur because of:

• Capillary versus venous specimen

• Timing of specimen collection

• Pre-analytical variation

• Capillary sampling technique

• Analytical method

• Instrument calibration

• Sample handling

• Normal measurement variation

The Mission Hb uses reflectance photometry with a methemoglobin detection principle, whereas central laboratory hematology analysers may use different analytical methodologies.

Therefore, two results taken from different specimens or using different systems should not automatically be expected to be numerically identical.

When a clinically important discrepancy occurs, laboratory confirmation and appropriate professional interpretation should be considered.

Problem 10: The Result Changes Depending on Which Finger Is Tested

Capillary specimens can be influenced by sampling technique.

Possible causes include:

• Different blood flow between puncture sites

• Excessive squeezing

• Cold fingers

• Moisture on the skin

• Residual alcohol

• Poor peripheral circulation

• Inconsistent blood collection

Standardising capillary collection technique improves repeatability.

Problem 11: Alcohol Was Still Wet When the Finger Was Pricked

If alcohol is used to prepare the puncture site, allow it to dry completely before obtaining the specimen.

Residual liquid at the sampling site can contaminate or dilute the blood specimen.

The fingertip should be clean and dry before testing.

Problem 12: Mission Hb Strip Has Been Exposed to Heat

Mission Hemoglobin Test Strips are specified for storage at approximately:

2°C to 30°C

Prolonged exposure outside the recommended storage conditions may affect strip performance.

Potential high-temperature exposure may occur when strips are stored:

• In a parked vehicle

• Near direct sunlight

• Beside laboratory equipment producing heat

• Near windows

• In very hot rooms

• In uncontrolled storage areas

Returning heat-exposed strips to the correct temperature does not necessarily reverse any deterioration that may already have occurred.

When storage history is questionable, correctly stored strips should be used.

Problem 13: Mission Hb Strips Were Exposed to High Humidity

Mission Hb strip storage specifications generally allow up to approximately 85% relative humidity.

Diagnostic strips should nevertheless be protected from unnecessary moisture exposure.

Avoid:

• Leaving the strip container open

• Handling strips with wet fingers

• Storing near sinks

• Steam exposure

• Condensation

• Damp storage cabinets

Close the strip container promptly after removing the required strip.

For detailed information, read:

Mission Hemoglobin Strips Expiry & Storage Guide

Problem 14: The Strip Pack Has Been Open for a Long Time

Opening a test-strip canister begins a different storage period from the manufacturer's unopened shelf life.

The current ACON specification lists Mission Hb strips with an unopened canister shelf life of up to 2 years and approximately 3 months after opening the canister, subject to the expiry date and storage instructions supplied with the particular product.

For professional use, consider recording the date opened on the strip container where appropriate.

Never continue using strips merely because they look physically normal if the permitted opened-container period or printed expiry has been exceeded.

Problem 15: Mission Hb Strip Is Expired

Do not use an expired strip.

An expired strip may:

• Still fit into the meter

• Still be recognised

• Still produce a numerical result

That does not establish that the strip remains suitable for reliable diagnostic testing.

Check the expiry before testing.

Problem 16: Coding or Calibration Concern

The Mission Hb system uses automatic calibration but strip packs may also be supplied with system-specific coding components such as a code chip.

Keep the code chip and corresponding strip materials together.

When starting a new strip pack or lot:

• Follow the supplied manufacturer instructions.

• Do not mix coding components indiscriminately between packs.

• Check that the appropriate setup has been completed.

• Retain the package insert until the strips have been used.

If results become unexpectedly inconsistent after changing strip lots, coding/calibration setup is one of the items worth reviewing.

Problem 17: Testing in a Very Hot or Cold Environment

The Mission Hb meter's specified operating conditions are approximately:

10°C to 40°C

with relative humidity up to approximately:

90% RH

Operating outside the manufacturer's specified environment may interfere with normal system performance.

Allow the meter and strips to reach suitable operating conditions naturally before testing.

Do not attempt to rapidly warm them using:

• Hair dryers

• Heaters

• Direct sunlight

• Hot surfaces

Problem 18: Cold Strips Have Developed Condensation

Moving strips rapidly from a cold environment into warm, humid air can cause condensation.

Moisture is undesirable around diagnostic strip chemistry.

Follow the manufacturer's instructions for bringing stored materials to appropriate operating conditions before opening or testing.

Avoid opening a cold strip container immediately in a hot and humid environment if doing so could introduce condensation.

Problem 19: Strip Was Touched in the Reaction Area

Avoid touching critical portions of the test strip unnecessarily.

Oil, moisture, dirt or other material from the hands can contaminate the test area.

Handle strips only by the appropriate areas indicated in the manufacturer's instructions.

If a strip's reaction area has clearly been contaminated, discard it and use a new strip.

Problem 20: A Used Strip Was Reinserted

Mission Hb test strips are single-use diagnostic strips.

Do not:

• Reuse a tested strip

• Wash it

• Wipe blood from it and repeat the test

• Use the same strip for another patient

• Attempt a second specimen on a previously tested strip

Use a new strip for every test.

Problem 21: Repeated Errors Occur with Several New Strips

If multiple correctly stored, in-date strips produce repeated problems, stop and perform a structured review.

Check:

Test Strips

• Correct product

• Correct lot

• Valid expiry

• Proper storage

• No obvious damage

Meter

• Power supply

• Strip port

• Physical condition

• Operating environment

• Correct setup

Sample

• Appropriate specimen type

• Correct approximately 10 µL volume

• Correct collection

• Correct application

Procedure

• Correct strip insertion

• Correct timing

• Correct handling

• Correct coding/calibration procedure

If the problem continues after these checks, quality-control evaluation or technical inspection may be appropriate.

When Should Quality Control Be Considered?

Quality control is particularly useful when:

• Opening or beginning a new strip lot

• Results appear inconsistent

• The meter has been dropped

• Storage conditions are questionable

• Repeated errors occur

• Testing performance is being verified in a professional setting

• Local laboratory or institutional procedures require QC

Professional users should follow their organisation's quality-control policy together with the Mission Hb manufacturer's instructions.

When Should You Repeat the Mission Hb Test?

A repeat test may be reasonable when:

• Sample collection was clearly inadequate

• Strip filling was incomplete

• The wrong strip was inserted

• The strip was visibly damaged

• Testing technique was incorrect

• An instrument error occurred

• The result is inconsistent with expectations and there is reason to suspect a procedural problem

Always use a new test strip for the repeat test.

When Should You Stop Repeating the Test?

Repeatedly testing until a desired result appears is not appropriate.

If:

• The same abnormal result is repeatedly obtained,

• Results remain inconsistent despite correct technique,

• The result does not fit the clinical condition,

• Symptoms are concerning, or

• Accurate confirmation is clinically important,

an appropriate laboratory test or healthcare evaluation should be considered.

Mission Hb Measurement Range

The Mission Hb system has an Hb measurement range of approximately:

4.5–25.6 g/dL

and provides a calculated hematocrit range of approximately:

13–75%

A result outside the measurable range should not be interpreted as though it were a precise quantitative measurement beyond the validated capability of the system.

Important Mission Hb Technical Specifications

Specification	Mission Hb
Test	Hemoglobin
Calculated value	Hematocrit
Method	Reflectance photometry
Detection principle	Methemoglobin
Sample	Capillary or venous whole blood
Sample volume	Approximately 10 µL
Test time	Under 15 seconds
Hb range	4.5–25.6 g/dL
Hct range	13–75%
Calibration	Automatic
Memory	Up to 1,000 tests
Operating temperature	10–40°C
Strip storage	2–30°C
Strip storage humidity	≤85% RH
Power	3 AAA batteries or AC adapter

Mission Hb Troubleshooting Decision Path

If your Mission Hb test is not working correctly, use this sequence:

Meter not turning on?

→ Check batteries and physical condition.

Meter turns on but does not recognise strip?

→ Check strip compatibility, orientation and condition.

Strip recognised but test will not start?

→ Check specimen volume and sample application.

Result appears incorrect?

→ Check sampling technique, strip storage, expiry, calibration and environmental conditions.

Repeated abnormal or inconsistent results?

→ Use fresh correctly stored strips, review QC and consider laboratory confirmation.

This step-by-step approach prevents unnecessary replacement of a meter when the actual problem may be related to the strip, sample or testing procedure.

Mission Hb Product Compatibility Reminder

The Mission Hb Hemoglobin Monitor should be used with the corresponding Mission Hb Hemoglobin Test Strips.

Do not assume compatibility based only on:

• Strip shape

• Similar brand names

• Similar blood volume

• Similar Hb measurement range

• Physical ability to insert the strip

Compatibility is determined by the complete meter-and-strip testing system.

Read:

Mission Hb Test Strip Compatibility Guide

/blogs/knowledge-hub/mission-hb-test-strip-compatibility-guide

Related Mission Hb Guides

Mission Hemoglobin Monitor & Test Strips – Complete Guide

Start here if you want an overview of the Mission Hb system, specifications, testing method and available configurations.

/blogs/knowledge-hub/mission-hemoglobin-monitor-test-strips-complete-guide

How to Use the Mission Hb Hemoglobin Monitor

Follow the complete step-by-step Mission Hb testing procedure.

/blogs/knowledge-hub/how-to-use-mission-hemoglobin-monitor

Mission Hb Test Strip Compatibility Guide

Learn which strips are designed for the Mission Hb meter and why hemoglobin strips from different systems should not be interchanged.

/blogs/knowledge-hub/mission-hb-test-strip-compatibility-guide

Mission Hemoglobin Strips Expiry & Storage Guide

Learn how temperature, humidity, opened-canister time, expiry and handling can affect Mission Hb strips.

Mission Hb Products Available from Microsidd

Mission Hb Hemoglobin Monitor with 10 Strips

Portable Mission Hb testing system supplied with starter test strips for rapid hemoglobin measurement.

View product:
https://microsidd.com/products/mission-hb-hemoglobin-monitor-with-10-strips

Mission Hemoglobin Test Strips – 50 Strips

Compatible refill strips for users who already have the Mission Hb Hemoglobin Monitor.

View product:
https://microsidd.com/products/mission-hb-strips-pack-of-50-strips

Mission Hb Monitor + 50-Strip Refill Pack

Suitable for users requiring a meter together with a larger quantity of compatible Mission Hb test strips.

View product:
https://microsidd.com/products/mission-hb-monitor-with-50-strips

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Mission Hb meter not detecting the strip?

Check that you are using the correct Mission Hb strip, that it is inserted in the correct direction and that it is not damaged, wet, contaminated or previously used.

How much blood does the Mission Hb test require?

The Mission Hb system requires approximately 10 µL of whole blood.

Why am I getting different Mission Hb readings?

Variation can arise from sampling technique, specimen volume, finger squeezing, strip filling, storage conditions, environmental conditions or analytical variation. Large or persistent differences should be investigated.

Can I repeat a test using the same Mission Hb strip?

No. Use a new strip for every measurement.

What should I do if the Mission Hb result seems wrong?

Review strip compatibility, expiry, storage, sampling technique, specimen volume, coding/calibration and operating conditions. Repeat with a new strip where appropriate and consider laboratory confirmation when the result remains unexpected.

What temperature can the Mission Hb meter be used at?

The specified operating temperature is approximately 10°C–40°C.

What temperature should Mission Hb strips be stored at?

Mission Hb strips should generally be stored at approximately 2°C–30°C, according to the manufacturer.

How long can an opened Mission Hb strip canister be used?

The manufacturer currently specifies approximately 3 months after opening the canister, subject to the printed expiry date and correct storage conditions.

Can Mission Hb strips from another meter be used?

No. Use test strips designed for the Mission Hb system.

Does Mission Hb measure hematocrit?

The meter measures hemoglobin and provides a calculated Hct value.

Should I keep repeating an abnormal Hb result?

No. If an abnormal result persists despite correct testing technique, appropriate laboratory confirmation and medical assessment should be considered rather than repeatedly testing until a different result appears.

Final Troubleshooting Checklist

Before concluding that your Mission Hb meter is faulty, confirm:

✓ Correct Mission Hb test strip
✓ Strip within expiry
✓ Opened strip pack still within permitted use period
✓ Correct strip storage
✓ Correct coding/calibration procedure
✓ Proper strip insertion
✓ Approximately 10 µL whole blood specimen
✓ Correct sample application
✓ Clean and dry puncture site
✓ Meter being used within 10–40°C
✓ Fresh batteries
✓ Fresh strip used for every test
✓ Quality control performed where appropriate

If all of these factors have been checked and the problem continues, consult the manufacturer's instructions or appropriate product support before continuing patient testing.

Important Note

This article is intended as a practical troubleshooting and educational guide for the Mission Hb Hemoglobin Monitoring System.

It does not replace the current manufacturer's user manual, test-strip package insert, laboratory quality procedures or professional medical evaluation.

When an Hb result is unexpected, inconsistent with the patient's condition or clinically important, appropriate laboratory confirmation and medical interpretation should be considered.

Buy Genuine Mission Hb Hemoglobin Testing Products from Microsidd.com

Microsidd supplies hemoglobin meters, compatible test strips and diagnostic products for laboratories, clinics, healthcare professionals and individual users.

When ordering Mission Hb products, verify the exact meter model, compatible strip, pack size and product specifications before purchase.

Explore Mission Hb and other hemoglobin testing products at Microsidd.com.