Collection Instructions

Capillary blood specimens should be applied to collection card, completely filling the circles. Care should be taken to completely fill the first circle on the card before moving to the next one. Card must be completely dry before placement into envelope, no less than 10 minutes but could take a few hours. 

1. Please wash child’s hand/heel with soap and water, concentrating on the site to be used.  Use of friction is an important element in assuring that the site is clean of potential contaminants.
2. Do not touch the filter paper to the finger or heel itself, only to the blood droplet.
3. Collection tools should be kept covered and stored in clean, dust-free areas.
4. When using filter paper, do not close the cover on the specimen card until the specimen (all circles) is completely dried.  The cards may sit overnight (in a protected area) to dry completely, if needed.
5. Please also take great care to avoid touching the collection portion of the card before you begin collection or while it is wet.  You may unknowingly contaminate the card by doing so.

Spectrum Health Toxicology department can be contacted for any additional information at 616-267-2780.

Testing can be run off of 2 completely filled circles (toxicology needs 3 circles if results don’t agree), however, collector should still try and fill all 4 circles on the card.