CLSI GP42 A6 : 6ED 2008

Abstract
Committee Membership
Foreword
1 Scope
2 Introduction
   2.1 Pediatric Patients
   2.2 Adult Patients
   2.3 Patients for Whom Skin Puncture May Be Inappropriate
3 Standard Precautions
4 Terminology
   4.1 Definitions
   4.2 Abbreviations/Acronyms
5 Skin Puncture
6 Outline for Skin Puncture Technique
7 Sites for Collecting Skin Puncture Blood
   7.1 Infants
   7.2 Older Children and Adults
8 Approach, Identify, and Position the Patient
   8.1 Identify the Patient
   8.2 Position the Patient
9 Procedure for Warming the Skin Site Before Puncture
   (Arterialization)
   9.1 Blood Flow
10 Technique for Cleansing the Skin Puncture Site
   10.1 Isopropanol
   10.2 Cleansing the Site
11 Skin Puncture Technique
   11.1 Depth
   11.2 Skin Puncture/Incision Devices
   11.3 Puncture
12 Skin Puncture Specimen Collection Technique
   12.1 First-Drop Elimination
   12.2 Blood Specimen Collection
   12.3 Device Disposal
   12.4 Order of Collection
   12.5 Microcollection Device Filling, Closure, and Mixing
   12.6 pH and Blood Gas Determination
   12.7 Microhematocrit Collection
   12.8 Blood Films
13 Technique for Sealing and Handling Capillary Tubes
   13.1 Methods
   13.2 Procedure
14 Identification and Labeling of Capillary Blood Specimens
15 Analyte Variations Between Skin Puncture and Venipuncture
   Specimens
   15.1 Hematological Variations Between Serum and Plasma
   15.2 Hemolysis
16 Devices for Collecting Blood Specimens From Skin Punctures
   16.1 General Device Considerations
   16.2 General Accessories for Microcollection Devices
   16.3 Plastic Microcollection Devices
   16.4 Disposable Microcollection and Microhematocrit Tubes
   16.5 Microdilution Systems
References
Additional References
Summary of Consensus Comments and Working Group Responses
Summary of Delegate Comments and Working Group Responses
The Quality Management System Approach
Related CLSI Reference Materials

Describes a technique for the collection of diagnostic capillary blood specimens, including recommendations for collection sites and specimen handling and identification.

This standard describes general procedures for collecting diagnostic capillary blood specimens. It is intended for phlebotomists or other health care providers responsible for obtaining specimens from patients, as well as for manufacturers of skin puncture and incision devices and microcollection containers.In addition, this document describes and recommends several disposable devices for collecting, processing, and transferring diagnostic capillary blood specimens. The recommendations are strictly limited to disposable products, which are used once per specimen or as defined by the manufacturer’s detailed test technique. This document does not address skin puncture procedure for self-testing or collection procedures for capillary blood gases. (For information on capillary blood gas collection, see CLSI/NCCLS document H11.2)