Owner manual

2.3

• Capillary samples must be free-flowing from an “arterialized” site. Avoid

excessive squeezing of the puncture site to prevent erroneous results that

could result from dilution of analytes or hemolysis.

ELECTROLYTE/GLUCOSE/LACTATE SAMPLE

HANDLING

• If a blood sample cannot be tested within 20 minutes of collection, keep

the collection device capped to minimize pH changes that could affect the

ionized calcium concentration.

• Do not ice samples that are to be analyzed for potassium; iced samples

may hemolyze.

• Analyze samples that are to be tested for glucose immediately; glucose

will decrease 5-10 mg/dL/hour as a result of glycolysis.

• Samples for lactate should be analyzed immediately on drawing as lactate

increases by as much as 70% within 30 minutes at 25° C as a result of

glycolysis.

PREPARING THE SAMPLE FOR INJECTION

• Remove any entrapped air from the syringe sample by pointing the syringe

at an upward angle to allow air bubbles to rise to the surface; expel the air,

along with a small amount of blood, onto an absorbent surface.

• Mix the sample thoroughly using the following technique:

> Roll the syringe between the palms of both hands with the syringe tip

pointing up.

> Invert the syringe (i.e., tip down) after 15-30 seconds. Continue to roll

the sample, alternating syringe orientation, until thoroughly mixed.

• Check the expelled sample for blood clots. A clot usually indicates

inadequate sample anticoagulation (e.g., the sample and heparin were not

well mixed). If a clot is injected near or over the cartridge sensors,

erroneous test results or sensor errors could occur. Do not use clotted

samples.

• When using the IRMA TruPoint Capillary Collection Device, analyze the

sample immediately, or place a luer cap on the tip of the device and

analyze within 5 minutes.