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Blood Testing
A test strip package insert is included with each box of test strips. Please read the test
strip package insert and this section of the user guide completely and carefully
before testing.
Testing Supplies
To perform a blood test you need:
•
CardioChek
PA analyzer
•
PTS Panels
test strips
•
Lot-specific MEMo Chip
•
Sterile, auto-disabling, single-use lancet
•
Pipet or capillary blood collector
•
Gauze or cotton balls
•
Alcohol wipe
This analyzer requires whole blood for testing. Do not operate the analyzer in direct
light. See Section 8,
Care and Cleaning
for more information.
Helpful Hints on Getting a Good Drop of Blood
1. Instruct the patient to wash hands in warm, soapy water.
2. Rinse well and dry completely. If an alcohol wipe is used, let the finger air dry
before testing. Clean gauze may be used to dry alcohol.
3. Warm the fingers to increase blood flow.
4. Let the arm hang down at the patient’s side briefly to allow blood flow to the
fingertips.
Running a Test
6
How to Obtain a Blood Sample from a Fingerstick
A new pair of clean gloves should be worn by the user
before testing each patient.
1. Use either the middle or ring finger for fingersticking.
2. Select the site to allow for convenient collection.
3. Clean the site with an alcohol wipe.
4. Apply gentle pressure to the finger with lancet
and stick the finger left or right of center.
5. Gently apply pressure (squeeze and release) to the
finger to produce a large drop of blood.
Note:
Avoid
milking the finger. This may cause tissue fluid dilution
or hemolysis and affect the accuracy of results.
6. Use cotton or gauze to wipe away first drop for all
test strips.
7. Hold the capillary tube just below the bulb and
level with the angle of the finger.
Note:
Do NOT
squeeze the bulb during collection if applicable.
8. Place the tip just touching the drop of blood allowing
the capillary action to draw the blood into the capillary
tube until sample reaches the fill line.
Precaution:
Handle and dispose of all materials coming in
contact with blood according to universal precautions and
guidelines. All parts of the system should be considered potentially infectious and
are capable of transmitting bloodborne pathogens between patients and healthcare
professionals.
It is recommended that users refer to the following practice guidelines:
Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) found at
http://www.cdc.gov/biosafety/publications/bmbl5/.
“Protection of Laboratory Workers From Occupationally Acquired Infections; Approved Guideline-
Third Edition” Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) M29-A3.
