How is a finger stick performed

This technique allows patients to draw blood samples in their homes, eliminating the need for clinic or lab visits for a blood draw. Using the fingerstick method, ul of blood can be collected from a fingertip for lab analysis. For newborn infants, drops of blood are collected from a "heelprick" instead. With the fingerstick or heelstick method, the blood sample is allowed to dry and is analyzed in the lab as dried blood. Here are some ways that fingerstick blood testing is changing the healthcare landscape:.

Fingerstick blood testing is an approach that minimizes the stress and pain associated with venous blood draws. The tubes typically contains citrate additives that prevent coagulation.

The blood draw process can be stressful for kids and patients who have anxiety around needles, as well as those who must undergo frequent blood testing. It can also be challenging for phlebotomists to find veins in patients who have chronic illnesses or delicate skin. Common factors that can affect finger stick blood sugar tests When testing blood sugar levels, there are different factors that can affect the accuracy of a finger stick test including: Temperature, humidity, and elevation Testing site location, such as fingertip vs.

Consider these factors the next time you test: Residue on unwashed fingers When performing a finger stick blood test, the first surface the lancet touches is the outer layer of your skin; this is also where the blood drop will collect.

Insufficient blood drop Producing a blood drop that completely fills a blood glucose test strip sample area is necessary for the system to correctly calculate your results. Potential Cause: Hands are cold. Solution: Warm hands under warm water, washing and drying them thoroughly before testing. Potential Cause: Poor circulation. Solution: Let your hand hang down, and flap or shake your hands and arms to get blood flowing.

Potential Cause: Lancing depth is too shallow. Solution: Many lancing devices have adjustable settings to control how deep the lancet will puncture. Adjusting the device to a deeper setting can help to produce a larger droplet. Potential Cause: Lancet gauge is too fine. Solution: The lancet needle may be too small to penetrate calloused hands or successfully produce a large enough blood drop for certain individuals.

Try experimenting with a lancet gauge that works best for you. Potential Cause: Reusing a lancet. Solution: If you are not in the habit of changing your lancet frequently then the lancet tip can become dull and result in a less successful finger stick.

Use a new lancet each time you test. Step 1: Prepare your lancing device A lancing device is used in combination with a lancet to prick the test site, causing a blood drop to form. Step 2: Choose a testing site on your finger When testing blood sugar, finger stick tests provide more accurate results than testing on the palm of your hand or forearm, due to the physiological differences between these sites.

Step 3: Clean the test site Wash your hands with soap and warm water before performing a finger stick test. How to dispose of single-use testing supplies Some of the supplies you use to test your blood sugar are intended for single use only and need to be disposed of safely to prevent others from contact with used and potentially harmful supplies.

It is important to carefully dispose of: Lancets Needles, for those who take insulin Test strips For at-home containment of used testing supplies, the Food and Drug Administration FDA recommends getting an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container. FAQs: Finger stick blood sugar tests Testing your blood sugar at home using a blood glucose meter can be simple and convenient, yet it is not uncommon to have questions. How many times can I use my lancet? Can I use alcohol to clean a lancet and reuse it?

Using control solution, you can easily check that your blood glucose meter and test strips are working properly. Get the details in this guide. Download Now. Like what you read? Share with a friend. Share on Twitter. Related Articles. Health , Tips. How to Test Your Blood Sugar. The lancet should be discarded immediately following puncture. Blood which runs down the finger or around the fingernail area is no longer suitable for collection.

Blood flow may be enhanced if the punctured finger is kept lower than the heart. If blood flow is not adequate, it can be promoted by gently massaging the base of the finger toward the tip, then pressing firmly at the joint of the punctured finger nearest the tip, restricting blood flow out of the fingertip and gently squeezing the sides of the fingertip. Touching the capillary tip of the Multivette to the drop of blood will cause blood to flow into the tip by capillary action.

The Multivette must be horizonal or at a slight downward angle for best blood flow. Blood will not be drawn upward into the tip. Actual contact of the tip with the skin surface should be minimized.

The steps of blood droplet formation and collection in the Multivette can be repeated to increase the volume of blood collected, but should be performed quickly and efficiently. However, if air gaps form in the tip, blood flow into the Multivette will be inhibited.

An air gap can be eliminated by tipping the Multivette down so that blood flows back to the end of the capillary tip. Fill the capillary tip at least until blood is flush with the purple cap of the Multivette. It is preferable to submit a specimen with less than optimum volume than one which has compromised integrity. When blood has been collected, unscrew and remove the capillary tip assembly and discard. Blood will be drawn into the Multivette container.

Screw a regular cap onto the Multivette container, and shake vigorously to mix anticoagulant through the blood. Noise from the plastic mixing doughnut should be audible while shaking. An adhesive bandage should then be applied to the punctured finger. Disclaimer: The following information is based on WSLH interpretation of current shipping regulations. Customers should consult their own legal advisors for interpretation of all laws and regulations that may apply to their organizations.

April The packaging materials provided by WSLH meet current shipping regulations for typical specimens. However, if a specimen is known or suspected to contain an infectious agent, different packaging may be required. Consult the laboratory or Postal Service for more information. A completed WSLH request form must accompany each specimen. It is important to legibly provide all requested information. The labeled tube and absorbent material should be placed in the provided bag and sealed.

Press down firmly to activate the safety lancet. Dispose of unit in appropriate sharps container. Using gauze, wipe away first droop of blood to eliminate contamination of sample with tissue fluid.

Moderate pressure may be applied just below the puncture site to obtain second drop of blood; avoid "squeezing" of the finger.

If necessary, gently massage from the hand to near the puncture site to obtain the required blood volume. Follow fingerstick glucose procedure for testing of blood droplet. Use gauze on puncture site after sampling and ask patient to press on it to stop blood flow.

If necessary, a spot bandage may be places on puncture site.