BLOOD COLLECTION BY CAPILLARY PUNCTURE

A Blood test is prescribed in most of the blood-related disorders, metabolic disorders and in various infections as well as for the Regular health Check-ups. Whenever a small amount of blood is required for the tests, instead of venipuncture, a capillary puncture is done to collect the sample. In Children and Adults, finger puncture is done to collect the blood sample whereas, in Infants, Heel puncture is done to obtain the specimen.

I) BLOOD COLLECTION BY FINGER PUNCTURE

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE FINGER PUNCTURE

• Blood Lancet
• Alcohol/Spirit Swab
• Surgical Gauze
• Microscope Glass Slide
• Capillary tube
• Glass Marking pencil

  

All the above-mentioned things should be ready in hand before starting the procedure.

PROCEDURE OF THE FINGER PUNCTURE

⇒ Firstly ensure that the patient should be in a comfortable position.

⇒ Find a spot on the Middle or Ring finger of the left hand (as Most peoples are Right-handed).

⇒ Clean the selected site for the puncture with a sterile cotton swab dipped in 70% Isopropyl Alcohol, to remove the Dust or Epithelial Debris (Dead Cells on Skin).

⇒ Warm up the finger chosen for piercing to increase the blood flow.

⇒ Grasp the finger tightly and do the puncture with a sterile lancet. The puncture should be 2-3 mm deep.

⇒ A quick puncture is made on the site of the finger with a sterile disposable lancet. Don’t squeeze the finger tightly because the liberation of tissue fluid will dilute the blood or hemolysis may occur.

⇒ Wipe out the first drop of blood to avoid tissue fluid contamination & apply gentle pressure to obtain a free flow of blood.

⇒ Blood drops can be taken onto the Clean & grease free glass slide for making the blood smear and for the ABO & Rh blood typing. Bleeding time, Clotting time and other various tests can also be performed using the capillary puncture.

⇒ When the desired amount of blood is obtained, a clean and dry cotton swab should be applied to the puncture site and the patient is instructed to apply the pressure until the blood ceases.

LEARN: Collection of blood Specimen from the Veins

II) BLOOD COLLECTION BY HEEL PUNCTURE

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE HEEL PUNCTURE

• Appropriate Blood Lancet for infants
• Alcohol/Spirit Swab
• Surgical Gauze
• Microscope Glass Slide
• Capillary tube
• Glass Marking pencil

All the above-mentioned things should be ready in hand before starting the procedure.

PROCEDURE OF THE HEEL PUNCTURE

⇒ Heel puncture is in Infants is begin by selecting the appropriate lancet that depends upon the infant’s health such as:

• BD microtainer Quickheel lancet, 2.5 mm for Full-term Babies (Green color)
• BD microtainer Quickheel lancet, 1.75 mm for Neonatal Babies (Purple color)
• Unistik 2 neonatal 18G, 1.2 mm lancet for Neonatal babies less than 1000 gm (Blue color)

⇒ Gently rub the heel to warm it, which increases the blood flow.

⇒ Clean the Lateral/Medial Plantar surface of the foot using spirit swab. Allow it to dry.

⇒ Grasp the foot and using a sterile lancet, press firmly against the heel to make a puncture.

⇒ The first drop contains excess fluid and must be wiped away. Collect the drops of blood into the capillary tube or any collections device by gently squeezing the foot. 

⇒ Avoid excessive pressure that may squeeze tissue fluid into the drop of blood or causes bruising.

⇒ When the required amount of blood is collected, hold a gauze pad over the puncture site for a couple of minutes to stop the bleeding, and then tie a gauze piece around the foot.

SAHIL BATRA

Hi, I’m the Founder and Developer of Paramedics World, a blog truly devoted to Paramedics. I am a Medical Lab Tech, a Web Developer and Bibliophiliac. My greatest hobby is to teach and motivate other peoples to do whatever they wanna do in life.