CLSI Publishes Updated Standard For Collection Of Diagnostic Capillary Blood Specimens

Main Category: Blood / Hematology
Also Included In: Biology / Biochemistry
Article Date: 02 Oct 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) recently published an updated standard, Procedures and Devices for the Collection of Diagnostic Capillary Blood Specimens; Approved Standard--Sixth Edition (H04-A6), which provides a technique for the collection of diagnostic capillary blood specimens, including recommendations for collection sites and specimen handling and identification. Specifications for disposable devices used to collect, process, and transfer diagnostic capillary blood specimens are also included.

Dennis J. Ernst, MT(ASCP), Center for Phlebotomy Education, Inc., and chairholder for the working group that developed the document, says, "Every facility that performs skin punctures should make sure this document is at the disposal of everyone who performs capillary collections or manages specimen collection personnel. Not only does it provide the standardized procedure upon which their manuals should be based, but it helps to show they are operating within the legally defined standard of care. That's good risk management. The revision is a much better document than its predecessor in many ways. In addition to reflecting the most current studies and reports published in the literature since the last revision, it's more organized and useful to the user."

This document is a revision of H04-A5, which was published in 2004, and includes the following updates:

-- revised/harmonized terminology;
-- recommendations regarding proper patient identification procedures consistent with other pertinent CLSI documents; and
-- reorganization for clarity.

The document 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.

A laminated bench aid, Technique for Skin Puncture In Adults and Older Children Quick Guide (H04-A6 QG), which includes illustrations of every step in the skin puncture procedure from patient preparation to specimen collection, and container labeling is also available.

CLSI, formerly NCCLS, is a global, nonprofit, membership-based organization dedicated to developing standards and guidelines for the health care and medical testing community. CLSI's unique consensus process facilitates the creation of standards and guidelines that are reliable, practical, and achievable for an effective quality system.

CLSI