OPTIMedical OPTI CCA-TS, Operator'S Manual, Page: 159 / 271

8-4 Operator’s Manual – OPTI CCA-TS
8 OPERATING PRINCIPLES
Samples may be collected in capillary tubes after warming the area or otherwise stimulating it to promote
arterial circulation before the puncture. The puncture should be made deeply enough to ensure a free and
rapid flow of blood.
Do not use clay-capped capillary tubes as the rough, broken edge left when the capillary is cut may cause
damage to the OPTI cassette fill port. Use only capillary tubes with fire-polished ends to prevent damage
to the cassette. If a mixing flea is used, as required in some capillary tubes, take care to remove the flea
prior to sample introduction to avoid damage to the cassette.
Specimens collected in capillary tubes are stable at room temperature for up to 30 minutes after collection
because of the rapid cooling of the sample accomplished during filling.
Cooled samples provide relevant glucose values for up to 30 minutes, uncooled samples for up to 10
minutes. Serum must be separated within these time limits.
8.4.6 OPTI Medical ComfortSamplers
™
Blood may be collected for analysis on the OPTI CCA-TS with the OPTI Medical ComfortSampler to
provide a filled shielded capillary tube.
After collection, the ComfortSampler should be capped and transported in a horizontal position to the
instrument for analysis within 30 minutes, as with all specimens collected in capillary tubes.
Cooled samples provide relevant glucose values for up to 30 minutes, uncooled samples for up to 10
minutes. Serum must be separated within these time limits.
8.4.7 Handling and Storage of Samples
Please refer to CLSI Document H18-A3, Procedures for the Handling and Processing of Blood
Specimens ; Approved Guideline - Third Edition, November 2004, for a detailed discussion of guidelines
for the collection of acceptable specimens, instrument calibration, and quality control in pH and blood gas
analysis; including details of many potential sources of error which may cause inaccurate results.
Whole blood samples should be collected in a heparinized syringe, ComfortSampler or capillary
and analyzed as soon as possible after collection. Immediately after collection, check the syringe or
other device for air bubbles and carefully expel any trapped bubbles, following the manufacturer’s
recommended procedure. Extreme caution should be used to avoid needle stick injury. If collected in a
syringe or vacuum tube, mix the specimen thoroughly with anticoagulant by gentle inversion or by rolling
the syringe between both hands. Properly identify the specimen, following usual procedures for such
documentation. Place the syringe containing the specimen in an ice slurry. Blood gases and pH content
will change if the specimen remains at room temperature in a syringe for more than 5 minutes due to
cellular metabolism.
P O
2
changes due to oxygen consumption may be influenced by several factors, including: white blood
cell count, reticulocyte count, storage temperature and initial P O
2
value. At storage temperatures of 1
to 5 °C, the results obtained from the specimen are valid up to 2 hours. Samples expected to have high
white blood cell count, reticulocyte count, or high P O
2
values should be analyzed as soon as possible after
collection.