Drucker Diagnostics QBC STAR Dry Hematology Analyzer - Manual (Page 84)

QBC Star System Operator’s/Service Manual
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Errors to Avoid in venous Blood Collection
• Do not underfill the tube. This may result in excess anticoagulant interfering with the test result,
or cause hemolysis of the specimen.
• Completely mix the tube to avoid clot formation in specimens collected in tubes containing
anticoagulants.
• Do not mix the specimen too vigorously. Overly vigorous mixing may result in cell damage and
hemolysis.
• Do not overfill evacuated tubes when adding blood with a syringe. This could adversely affect
the ratio of blood to anticoagulant. Overfilling anticoagulant tubes can also lead to excess
pressure, causing the stoppers to come off.
Capillary Blood Collection
The following procedure can be used as a guideline for capillary blood collection. Please consult your
lab’s standard operating procedure as it may differ from the procedure described below.
Supplies
• Disposable gloves
• Lancet with blade no longer than 2.0 - 2.4 mm
• Alcohol swab or pad
• Sterile gauze
• Bandage
• Sharps container
• QBC STAR Tube
Procedure
1 Identify the patient by having him or her (or a guardian) state his full name.
2 Select and organize the appropriate blood collection supplies.
3 Select a puncture site. With older children and adults, use the third or fourth finger of the non-
dominant hand. Choose a puncture site halfway between the center of the finger pad and the
outer edge of the finger. For infants, punctures may be performed on the outer or inner portion
of the plantar surface of the heel.
4 Make sure the site to be punctured is not cyanotic, edematous, or cold. If cyanotic or cold,
cover the puncture site with a warm, moist towel for at least three minutes before puncture.
5 Clean the puncture site with an alcohol pad. To prevent hemolysis, allow the site to dry.
6 Wearing gloves, puncture the finger with a sterile lancet. Wipe away the first drop of blood to
avoid diluting the specimen with excess tissue fluid.
7 Apply slight pressure above the puncture site. Avoid squeezing directly at the puncture area,
because that may cause cell damage as well as dilute the specimen with tissue fluid.
8 Fill the QBC STAR Tube by placing the collection end of the tube directly in contact with the
finger puncture blood. Fill the QBC STAR Tube to a level between the two black fill lines.
9 When collection is complete, apply slight pressure with sterile gauze pad and elevate the
puncture site. Bandage, if necessary.
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