Capillary Collection

How to Subscribe
MLS & MLT Comprehensive CE Package
Includes 185 CE courses, most popular
$109Add to cart
Pick Your Courses
Up to 8 CE hours
$55Add to cart
Phlebotomy CE Package$59Add to cart
Individual course$25Add to cart
The page below is a sample from the LabCE course Modern Trends in Phlebotomy. Access the complete course and earn ASCLS P.A.C.E.-approved continuing education credits by subscribing online.

Learn more about Modern Trends in Phlebotomy (online CE course)
Capillary Collection

Historically, capillary blood testing was done primarily on patients with inadequate veins for venipuncture. These included the very young or the very old, patients with damaged veins, burn victims, patients with arms in casts, chemotherapy patients, and obese patients, among others. With the advent of point-of-care testing (POCT) and the advances in emergency medicine, capillary blood testing is becoming increasingly common.
Capillary punctures require different devices than the typical venipuncture equipment. They include lancets, microcontainer tubes, microhematocrit tubes and sealants, and warming devices. Improper use of these devices may contribute to improper specimens and pre-examination errors.
On the following pages, we will present some of the innovations in capillary collection equipment.
Figures 19 and 20. BD Quikheel™ infant safety lancet and BD Microtainer® blood collection tubes images courtesy of ©Becton, Dickinson and Company. Reprinted with permission. https://www.bd.com/en-us/offerings/capabilities/specimen-collection/blood-specimen-collection/capillary-collection/bd-quikheel-infant-safety-lancet

Figure 19. BD Quikheel™ infant safety lancet
Figure 20. BD Microtainer® blood collection tubes