Standard Operating
Procedure
Equipment /
Procedure:
Capillary Blood Sampling
Filename:
20121212_SOP_Capillary_Blood_Sampling
Assessor’s
name & date:
Reviewer’s
name & date:
Review Date:
Richard Metcalfe, December 2012
Rebecca Toone 28/10/13
28/10/15
2013.1028SOP_capillary_blood_sampling
Capillary Blood Sampling
Safety Information:
 Ensure that you have had appropriate training and have read the
relevant operator’s manual/s and any specific documentation prior to
using the equipment or undertaking the following task.
 Good laboratory and clinical practice guidelines must be adhered to at
all times. Gloves must be worn when handling blood samples.
Investigators using this technique must have read the following risk
assessment:
o 20121220RA_capillary_blood_sampling
Equipment and supplies:

Rubber gloves

Blood tray lined with blue roll

Sterile, single use lancing device (e.g., Accu-Check Safe-T-Pro Plus)

Sterile alcohol swabs

Tissues

Blood collection tube (capillary tube + rack, microvettes)

Biohazard bag

Bowl of warm water (~42C)
Procedure:
1.
Ensure all of the required equipment is on hand and within easy reach.
2.
Wash your hands thoroughly with warm water and soap.
3.
Put on a fresh pair of sterile gloves.
4.
Prepare the hand for sampling:
 If you are collecting a resting sample then ask the volunteer to wash their
hands and then place their hand in warm water (~42C) for approximately 5
minutes to arterialise the blood supply. This will also increase blood flow to
the hand and make it easier to obtain the sample.
 If you are collecting a sample during exercise then dry the volunteers hand
and lower arm thoroughly with a clean tissue (i.e., to remove sweat).
2013.1028SOP_capillary_blood_sampling
5.
Once hand is dry, wipe the desired fingertip with an alcohol swab and leave
to dry.
6.
During this time, prepare the single use lancet by removing the protective
covering and selecting the desired depth setting.
7.
Make the puncture on the side of the volunteer’s finger by pressing the lancet
firmly against the finger and pressing the button. Immediately dispose of used
lancet in the biohazard bag. A free flowing sample is required and the puncture
wound should NOT be squeezed. Ask the participant to relax their arm with fingers
pointing down as this will help increase bleeding from the puncture site.
8.
9.
Wipe away the first drop of blood with a clean tissue.
Collect blood through capillary action. To do this wait until there is a sizeable
drop of blood on the tip of the finger and then place the tip of the collection tube
against the drop of blood. The blood should be taken up by the tube. Make every
effort not to touch the tip of the tube against the tip of the finger whilst collecting the
sample. Repeat this process until you have enough blood for analysis.
 If collecting in a capillary tube for determination of haematocrit, once tube is
75% full, block the end with plasticene by placing it in the rack
 If collecting using YSI tubes, once you have collected to the line, place
stopper on the end of the tube and close the lid.
10. Wipe remaining blood off the participant’s finger using a tissue.
11. Dispose of used tissue and gloves in biohazard bin.
12. Wash hands thoroughly with water and soap.
Other Information:
If repeated samples are required then a new puncture should be made for each sample,
unless the time interval between samples is very short. Hands must be washed between
samples and a fresh pair must be used for each sample.
AT THE END OF THE TESTING SESSION ALL SURFACES MUST BE DISINFECTED
WITH VIRKON.
End of Document
2013.1028SOP_capillary_blood_sampling