8
When an even number of capillary tubes (2, 4 or 6) are centrifuged, balancing is
accomplished by placing the tubes on opposite sides of the rotor from one another
so that the weight is distributed equally. If an odd number of tubes (1,3 or 5) are
centrifuged, use an empty capillary tube to balance the rotor.
4.3 TUBE PREPARATION
A.
Perform a capillary finger stick.
1.
The patient should be seated comfortably. The patient’s hand should
be below the heart. It should be warm and relaxed with the fingers
straight but not tense. Warm the finger by moving the blood from the
base to the tip several times.
2.
The puncture site should be on the fingertip of the middle finger or ring
finger. Ideally, there should not be a ring on the finger. The outer and
upper region of the fingertip, halfway between the center of the finger
pad and the edge of the fingernail, is the site of choice. Using the side
of the fingertip rather than the center of the fingertip hurts less and
provides more blood flow.
3.
Clean the puncture site with an alcohol swab. Allow the area to dry
completely or wipe it off with a lint free wipe (such as gauze).
4.
Using your thumb, lightly press the finger from above the knuckle to the
tip to stimulate blood flow toward the puncture site.
5.
While applying light pressure toward the puncture site, use the lancet.
B.
Wipe off the first drop of blood. Fill a capillary tube ½ to ¾ full with blood. Let
the specimen flow down the tube until it is near the dry end. Then place your
finger over the top of the tube to stop the flow.
C.
Insert the dry end vertically into the sealant, pushing it to the bottom of the tray.
Twist the tube when removing it from the sealant to prevent the sealing plug
from being extracted.
D.
Repeat Step B. Gently tap the sealed end of the tube on a flat surface to help
insure proper sealant contact in the tube.
E.
Wipe off the prepared capillary tube.
F.
Place the capillary tube carefully in the centrifuge tube holder with the sealant
end down. Do not force the tube; let it slide into the tube holder. All tube
positions are numbered on the rotor and can be used to record the position of
each patient specimen.
WHEN USING CAPILLARY TUBES WITH PAINTED FILLER BANDS DO NOT
FILL THE TUBES MORE THAN ¾ FULL. SEAL THE END OF THE TUBE
WITHOUT THE BAND.
WHEN DRAWING A SAMPLE FROM A VENOUS BLOOD COLLECTION TUBE
