Product Manual

SPECIMEN COLLECTION PROCEDURE –

FINGERSTICK WHOLE BLOOD

Step 1A – COLLECT

• Using an antiseptic wipe, clean the finger of the person being

tested. Allow the finger to air dry.

• Using a sterile lancet, puncture the skin just off the center of the

finger pad.

• Hold the finger downward. Apply gentle pressure beside the point of

the puncture. Avoid squeezing the finger to make it bleed (see

picture B1).

• Wipe away the first drop of blood with a sterile gauze pad. Allow a

new drop of blood to form.

• Pick up an unused Specimen Collection Loop (“Loop”) by the thick

“handle” end (see picture B2).

• Put the “rounded” end of the Loop on the drop of blood (see

picture B3). Make sure that the Loop is completely filled with blood

(see picture B4).

VENIPUNCTURE WHOLE BLOOD

Step 1B – COLLECT

•

Using standard venous phlebotomy procedures, collect a whole blood

sample using a tube containing any of the following anticoagulants:

EDTA (lavender top), sodium/lithium heparin (green top), or sodium

citrate (light blue top). Other anticoagulants have not been tested

and may give an incorrect result. If the specimens are not tested at

the time of collection, the whole blood may be stored at 2°– 8°C (36°–

46°F) for up to 7 days or at 15°– 30°C (59°– 86°F) for up to 3 days

•

Prior to testing, mix the blood tube gently by inversion several times to

ensure a homogeneous specimen .

•

Pick up an unused Specimen Collection Loop ("Loop") by the thick

"handle" end (

see picture B5

•

Put the "rounded" end of the Loop into the tube of blood (

see picture

). Make sure the Loop is completely filled with blood (

see picture B7

NOTE: If the Loop is dropped or comes in contact with any

other surface, discard it in a biohazard waste container. Get

a new Loop for the collection of the blood sample.

Handle

NOTE: If the Loop is dropped or comes in contact with any

other surface, discard it in a biohazard waste container. Get

a new Loop for the collection of the blood sample.

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