Drucker Diagnostics Paralens Advance - Manual (Page 40)

5.1.4 Specimen Storage and Stability –
QBC AccuTubes
Venous blood samples may be stored at room tem-
perature 68° to 77°F (20° to 25°C) for up to 8 hours
prior to preparation of AccuTubes. Samples that
cannot be tested immediately must be refrig erated
if the room temperature is above 77°F (25°C).
Refrigerated samples stored at 36° to 46°F (2° to 8°C)
are stable for up to 8 hours. Bring samples back to
room temperature before you prepare an AccuTube.
The AccuTube should be centrifuged within 15 min-
utes after the plastic float is inserted. Once tubes
are centrifuged, the AccuTube is stable for 4 hours
before testing, providing the AccuTube is stored
vertically with stopper end down and away from
heat and intense light.
Specimen storage and stability information for all
other QBC tube types can be found in Appendix A-1.
5.2 CAPILLARY BLOOD FOR HEMATOLOGY
Fill QBC AccuTubes or other QBC capillary blood
tubes directly from a finger puncture or, in infants, a
heel puncture (see below). AccuTubes and capillary
blood tubes contain dry anticoagulant coatings,
which must be mixed after filling as described in the
test procedures in Section 6 and Appendix A-1.
5.2.1 Collection Procedures
• For finger puncture blood, the finger must not
be cyanotic or edematous. If cyanotic or cold,
immerse hand in warm water (30°C to 40°C) for
3 to 5 minutes before puncture, or use a moist
compress or warm pack.
• The lateral or medial plantar surface of the heel
is an acceptable capillary blood collection site
for infants less than one year old.
• Clean finger or heel area with antiseptic agent
and wipe dry.
• Puncture finger or heel with sterile lancet, wipe
away first drop of blood, and immediately collect
next drop or two directly in QBC AccuTube or
capillary blood tube. Specimens taken after first
several drops may yield lower platelet counts,
since platelets may adhere to wound site or
may aggregate in the drop of blood.
• Slight pressure can be applied some distance
from finger puncture. Avoid squeezing puncture
area to prevent diluting blood with tissue fluid.
5.2.2 Anticoagulants
QBC AccuTube and QBC capillary blood tubes
are internally coated with sodium heparin and
di-potassium EDTA and require no additional
anticoagulants.
5.2.3 Interfering Substances
See Paragraph 5.1.3 under Venous Blood.
Interfering substances information for all other QBC
tube types can be found in Appendix A-1.
5.2.4 Stability of QBC Capillary Tubes
Filled QBC AccuTubes and other QBC capillary
blood tubes should be mixed and centrifuged
promptly after blood collection.
5-2