Quikchek Plus Hb Test Strips Expiry & Storage Guide: Temperature, Handling & After Opening
Dr Pramod kumar
Quikchek Plus Hb Test Strips are dry-reagent diagnostic strips designed specifically for use with the Quikchek Plus Hb Meter.
Because these strips contain diagnostic reagents, correct storage, expiry checking and handling are important for maintaining the intended performance of the testing system.
Current Quikchek Plus product specifications list strip storage at approximately 2°C–30°C and relative humidity of ≤85% RH.
This guide explains how to store the strips, what to check before testing, how to handle an opened container and when a strip should not be used.
Compatible strips: Shop Quikchek Plus Hb Test Strips 50 →
For the complete meter guide: Quikchek Plus Hb Meter & Test Strips Complete Guide →
Quikchek Plus Hb Strip Storage at a Glance
| Storage / Handling Point | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Storage temperature | Approximately 2°C–30°C |
| Relative humidity | ≤85% RH |
| Original container | Yes — keep strips in manufacturer packaging |
| Container cap | Close promptly after removing a strip |
| Direct sunlight | Avoid |
| Excessive heat | Avoid |
| Excessive moisture | Avoid |
| Expired strips | Do not use |
| Damaged strips | Do not use |
| Reuse | Single use only |
| After-opening period | Follow the exact instructions printed on the supplied strip pack |
What Temperature Should Quikchek Plus Hb Strips Be Stored At?
The current product specification lists a strip storage temperature of approximately:
2°C–30°C
Store the strips in an environment that remains within the manufacturer's specified conditions.
Avoid leaving the strips in locations where temperatures may rise substantially, such as:
- inside a parked vehicle,
- next to a heater,
- near cooking equipment,
- in direct sunlight, or
- near other significant heat sources.
Humidity Limit for Quikchek Plus Hb Strips
The current specification lists storage at approximately:
≤85% relative humidity.
Avoid unnecessarily damp or humid storage environments.
Moisture exposure can be particularly important for dry-reagent diagnostic strips because the reagent area is intended to remain protected until the strip is used.
Keep the Strips in Their Original Container
Quikchek Plus Hb strips should remain in their original manufacturer container.
Do not transfer strips into:
- another diagnostic strip vial,
- a pill organiser,
- a plastic pouch,
- an unlabelled box, or
- a loose travel container.
Keeping the strips in their original packaging also preserves important information such as:
- product identity,
- lot information,
- expiry,
- storage instructions, and
- any calibration or lot-specific information.
Close the Strip Container Immediately
When you are ready to perform a test:
- open the strip container,
- remove only the strip required for the current test, and
- close the container promptly.
Do not leave the container open while preparing the patient, blood specimen or other testing equipment.
It is better to prepare the meter and sampling materials first and remove the strip only when testing is ready to begin.
Where Is the Expiry Date?
Check the expiry information printed on the actual Quikchek Plus Hb strip packaging supplied to you.
Do not rely on:
- an old website photograph,
- the expiry from a previous order,
- a customer review, or
- the expiry of another strip lot.
Expiry changes as new manufacturing batches are supplied.
Can Quikchek Plus Hb Strips Be Used After Expiry?
No.
Do not use Quikchek Plus Hb Test Strips beyond the applicable manufacturer expiry.
A strip may still appear physically normal after its expiry date, but appearance alone does not establish that the diagnostic reagent remains suitable for use.
How Long Are the Strips Good After Opening?
Follow the exact after-opening instructions supplied with your current Quikchek Plus Hb strip pack.
Do not automatically apply an opened-vial rule from:
- a glucose test strip,
- Mission Hb strips,
- TrueHb strips, or
- another diagnostic system.
Different reagent systems can have different usable periods after the container is first opened.
If the manufacturer specifies an opened-container discard date, record it on the container when first opened.
Printed Expiry vs After-Opening Expiry
These are two different concepts.
| Expiry Type | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Printed manufacturer expiry | The maximum expiry date for the unopened product under specified storage conditions |
| After-opening period | A potentially shorter usable period after first opening, where specified by the manufacturer |
If an after-opening period ends before the printed expiry, follow the earlier applicable discard date.
Protect Hb Strips from Direct Sunlight
Store the strip container away from direct sunlight.
A windowsill, dashboard or other sun-exposed surface is not a suitable long-term storage location.
Direct sunlight can also raise the temperature inside the container beyond the normal room temperature.
Do Not Leave Hb Strips in a Hot Car
Vehicle interiors can reach temperatures well above the manufacturer's specified storage conditions, particularly in warm weather.
For this reason, avoid storing Quikchek Plus Hb strips inside a parked vehicle.
This is especially relevant when diagnostic products are transported for medical camps, home visits or mobile screening programmes.
Can Quikchek Plus Hb Strips Be Refrigerated?
The current product information specifies storage at approximately 2°C–30°C.
Do not introduce unnecessary refrigeration or temperature cycling unless the current manufacturer instructions for your exact strip lot specifically direct you to do so.
Always follow the instructions printed on the supplied pack rather than using a storage practice copied from another diagnostic product.
Can the Strips Be Frozen?
Do not expose diagnostic strips to freezing conditions unless explicitly permitted by the current manufacturer instructions.
The listed storage range begins at approximately 2°C, so freezing is outside that specified range.
Do Not Use a Wet or Contaminated Strip
A strip should be clean and dry before specimen application.
Do not use a strip that has been:
- accidentally wetted,
- contaminated with another substance,
- handled with visibly dirty or wet hands, or
- otherwise compromised before testing.
Can a Bent or Damaged Hb Strip Be Used?
No.
Discard a strip if it is visibly:
- bent,
- torn,
- cracked,
- contaminated,
- physically altered, or
- damaged around the sample or meter-contact area.
Use a fresh undamaged strip instead.
Quikchek Plus Hb Strips Are Single Use
Each Quikchek Plus Hb Test Strip is intended for one test only.
After blood has been applied:
- do not wash the strip,
- do not dry it for reuse,
- do not apply a new specimen later, and
- do not place it back into the strip container.
Dispose of the used strip according to appropriate blood-contact waste procedures.
Do Not Mix Strips from Different Systems
Storage containers should never be used to mix different Hb strip families.
For example, do not place:
- Mission Hb strips,
- TrueHb strips, or
- other Hb strips
inside a Quikchek Plus strip container.
For exact meter matching:
Quikchek Plus Hb Test Strip Compatibility Guide →
Check Compatibility Before Checking Expiry
An unexpired strip is still unsuitable if it belongs to the wrong meter system.
Before testing, confirm both:
- Compatibility: Is it a Quikchek Plus Hb Test Strip?
- Usability: Is it within expiry, correctly stored and undamaged?
Both conditions matter.
Storage Checklist Before Testing
Before inserting a strip into the meter, check:
| Check | Question |
|---|---|
| Compatibility | Is this specifically a Quikchek Plus Hb Test Strip? |
| Expiry | Is it still within the applicable expiry? |
| After opening | Is it still within any manufacturer-specified opened-container period? |
| Temperature | Was it stored approximately within 2–30°C? |
| Humidity | Was it protected from excessive humidity? |
| Container | Was it kept in the original properly closed container? |
| Physical condition | Is the strip clean, dry and undamaged? |
Travelling with Quikchek Plus Hb Strips
When transporting the strips:
- keep them in the original manufacturer container,
- protect the container from heat,
- avoid leaving it in direct sunlight,
- protect it from rain and excessive humidity,
- avoid crushing or physically damaging the container, and
- keep the strips within their specified storage conditions.
A small insulated transport arrangement may be useful where environmental conditions are difficult to control, provided the strips are not exposed to freezing or other unsuitable temperatures.
Storage at Clinics, Hospitals & Diagnostic Centres
Professional users may find it useful to establish a dedicated storage area for point-of-care diagnostic strips.
Good stock-management practices include:
- keeping products away from sinks and wet areas,
- avoiding direct sunlight,
- monitoring storage temperature where appropriate,
- keeping different strip systems clearly separated,
- checking expiry during stock rotation, and
- using older suitable stock before newer stock where appropriate.
First Expiry, First Out
For multiple strip packs, consider arranging inventory so that the pack with the earliest applicable expiry is used first.
This can help reduce unnecessary expiry-related wastage in clinics and other higher-volume testing environments.
Always check that the pack remains suitable and correctly stored before use.
Can Poor Storage Cause Unexpected Results?
Improper strip storage can make diagnostic consumables unsuitable for their intended performance.
If results appear unexpected or repeated tests fail, check:
- strip compatibility,
- expiry,
- storage history,
- container closure,
- strip condition,
- sample application, and
- meter operating conditions.
Do not automatically conclude that an unexpected result is caused by the meter without checking the strip and testing procedure.
What If the Strips Were Stored Outside 2–30°C?
If the strips are known to have been stored outside the manufacturer's specified conditions, do not assume they become suitable again simply by returning them to room temperature.
Consult the current manufacturer instructions or appropriate product support before relying on those strips.
Where strip integrity is uncertain, using a correctly stored replacement pack is generally safer than attempting to rely on compromised diagnostic consumables.
What If the Strip Container Was Left Open?
If the container was accidentally left open for an extended period, strip integrity may be uncertain because the remaining strips may have been exposed to environmental humidity.
Review the manufacturer instructions and any applicable quality-control procedure before continuing to use the pack.
Do not assume that strips are unaffected merely because they look normal.
What If the Expiry Label Is Missing or Unreadable?
Do not use a diagnostic strip pack if you cannot reliably verify important information such as its product identity or applicable expiry.
Use a clearly labelled replacement pack instead.
How to Use a Properly Stored Quikchek Plus Hb Strip
Once compatibility, expiry and storage have been confirmed:
- prepare the meter and sampling supplies,
- remove one compatible Hb strip,
- close the strip container,
- insert the strip into the Quikchek Plus meter,
- obtain the required whole-blood specimen,
- apply approximately 10 µL as instructed,
- allow the meter to complete the test, and
- dispose of the used strip appropriately.
For detailed testing instructions:
How to Use Quikchek Plus Hb Meter & Test Strips →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the storage temperature for Quikchek Plus Hb strips?
The current product specification lists approximately 2°C–30°C.
What humidity should the strips be stored at?
The current specification lists approximately ≤85% relative humidity.
Should the strips stay in their original container?
Yes. Keep them in the original manufacturer packaging.
Should I close the container after removing a strip?
Yes. Close it promptly after removing the strip needed for the current test.
Can expired Quikchek Plus Hb strips be used?
No. Do not use strips beyond their applicable expiry.
How long are the strips usable after first opening?
Follow the exact after-opening instructions printed on the specific strip pack you receive. Do not apply another diagnostic strip's opened-container rule to Quikchek Plus.
Can I store Quikchek Plus Hb strips in another container?
No. Keep the strips in their original manufacturer container.
Can I use a bent strip?
No. Use a fresh, undamaged strip.
Can a used strip be reused?
No. Quikchek Plus Hb Test Strips are single-use.
Can Mission Hb strips be stored in the same Quikchek container?
No. Different strip systems should remain in their own original labelled packaging.
Can the strips be left in a car?
Avoid vehicle storage because parked vehicles can become much hotter than the specified strip storage range.
What should I do if the strip pack was exposed to excessive heat?
Do not assume the strips remain suitable merely because they appear normal. Check the manufacturer guidance or replace the pack if storage integrity is uncertain.
Related Quikchek Plus Guides
- Quikchek Plus Hb Meter & Test Strips Complete Guide
- Quikchek Plus Hb Test Strip Compatibility Guide
- How to Use Quikchek Plus Hb Meter & Test Strips
- Quikchek Plus vs Mission vs TrueHb Comparison
- Hemoglobin Meters & Test Strips Complete Guide
Shop Quikchek Plus Hb Test Strips
Quikchek Plus Hb Test Strips 50 →
Compatible meter:
Need both:
Quikchek Plus Hb Meter + 50 Strips →
Browse all hemoglobin systems:
Hemoglobin Meters & Test Strips →
Storage and compatibility notice: The storage information above reflects the current Quikchek Plus product specification available to Microsidd. Always follow the expiry, after-opening period, storage temperature and handling instructions printed on the actual manufacturer pack supplied to you, as current lot instructions take priority.
Medical information notice: Correct strip storage supports proper operation of the testing system but does not determine the clinical meaning of an Hb result. Abnormal or unexpected hemoglobin results should be interpreted through the appropriate professional healthcare process.