Section 4: Specimens; Overview; Peripheral Blood Smears - Siemens Hematek Operating Manual

Section 4: Specimens

Overview

The Hematek Slide Stainer is designed specifically for the automatic staining of peripheral
blood smears that have been prepared on standard 25 mm x 75 mm or 1" x 3" glass slides.
Blood smears that are stained according to instructions will provide the examiner with
high quality differential staining characteristics for all cytologic blood components. See
Section 3: Operating Instructions for staining instructions.

Peripheral Blood Smears

BIOHAZARD
Wear personal protective equipment. Use universal precautions. Refer to Appendix A,
page A-1 for recommended precautions when working with biohazardous materials.
It is crucial to start with a properly prepared blood smear in order to obtain the best results
on the stained slide. The following suggestions are recommended:
• Use high quality slides that are new and thoroughly cleaned.
• Slides must be free of oil and grease.
• Do not touch the slide surfaces with the fingers or against the skin of the patient.
• Protect blank slides from moisture and high humidity, as well as contamination by
dust, flies, and other insects.
• Store the slides covered in a cool, dry place.
• Never use oxalated or heparinized blood for making blood smears.
• EDTA is the anticoagulant of choice.
• Protect blood smears from excessive heat (such as radiators and ovens), water
splatters, and high humidity.
Use the following procedure to prepare a blood smear.
1. Remove the cap from a tube of well-mixed anticoagulated whole blood. EDTA is the
anticoagulant of choice.
NOTE:
Blood should be kept at room temperature prior to preparing the smear. Adaquate mixing
requires approximately 20 inversions prior to blood film preparation.
2. Place a drop of well-mixed blood near one end of a high quality slide. Hold a second
spreader slide at about a 45 degree angle and approach the drop of blood. Allow the
blood to spread almost to the width of of the slide edge. Then rapidly and smoothly
push the spreader slide to the opposite end of the slide, pulling the blood behind it.
NOTE:
The angle and speed at which the blood drop is spread determines the thickness or thiness,
and length of the blood film.
Section 4: Specimens, Page 4—3