CLSI LA4 A4 : 4ED 2003

Abstract
Committee Membership
Foreword
1 Scope
   1.1 Specimen Quality
   1.2 Specimen Acceptability
   1.3 Applications
2 Source of Blood
   2.1 Heel
   2.2 Other
   2.3 Unacceptable Sources
3 Techniques for Blood Collection on Filter Paper
   3.1 Heelstick (Method of Choice)
   3.2 Capillary Tube
   3.3 Dorsal Hand Vein
   3.4 Umbilical Venous Catheter (UVC) or Umbilical
       Arterial Catheter (UAC)
   3.5 Specimen Handling and Transport
4 Specifications for Specimen Matrix
   4.1 Collection Paper Specifications
   4.2 Paper Performance Characteristics
   4.3 Ink Specifications
   4.4 Packaging Precautions
5 Specimen Collection Device
   5.1 Minimum Preprinted Information
   5.2 Specimen Collection Device
6 Blood Spot Handling for DNA Analysis
   6.1 Contamination
   6.2 Specimen Contact
7 Extended Storage of Residual Specimens
References
Appendix A How to Collect and Acceptable Blood Spot
           Specimen (Detachable)
Appendix B Protocol for Testing the Absorption
           Characteristics of Filter Paper
Appendix C Filter Paper Specifications
Appendix D Blood Spot Drying Device
Summary of Comments and Committee Responses
Summary of Delegate Comments and Working Group Responses
The Quality System Approach
Related NCCLS Publications

Aims to improve and ensure the quality of blood spots collected from newborns. Unacceptable and poor quality specimens place an unnecessary burden on the screening facility, cause unnecessary trauma to the infant and anxiety to the infant's parents, potentially delay the detection and treatment of the affected infant, and could contribute to a missed or late diagnosed case.