Taking a blood sample from your foot, specifically the heel, involves a few key steps using a capillary collection method. Here's a breakdown:
Heel Prick Procedure
The process, typically used for infants, includes:
- Preparation: Ensure the heel is clean.
- Puncture: Use an appropriate device to puncture the heel firmly.
- Wipe: Relax the pressure on the heel and wipe away the first drop of blood.
- Collection: Gently compress the heel to form another drop of blood. Without the collection device touching the skin, collect the blood into the capillary.
Step-by-Step Guide
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Clean the heel area thoroughly. |
| 2 | Use the appropriate device to quickly puncture the heel. |
| 3 | Relax pressure on the heel. |
| 4 | Wipe away the initial drop of blood. |
| 5 | Gently squeeze the heel to form a new drop of blood. |
| 6 | Collect blood into a capillary device without touching the skin. |
Key Considerations
- Device: Use a specialized heel stick device to control depth of the puncture.
- Capillary Tube: Ensure the collection device, such as a capillary tube, does not touch the skin.
- Collection technique: It is essential to only compress the heel gently, to avoid excess squeezing that could lead to incorrect test results.
This method ensures a clean and accurate blood sample is obtained from the heel area.
