Performing A Fingerstick - Alere Cholestech LDX System User Manual

Performing a Fingerstick

NOTE: A warm and clean hand with good blood flow from the
puncture site is essential to collect a good capillary sample.
Alere supplies a variety of capillary tube options. Check the
package insert for the test cassette you are using to determine the
appropriate capillary tube.
1. The patient should sit quietly for five minutes before
the blood sample is collected.
2. Put a capillary plunger into the end of an Alere™ capillary
tube with the colored mark. Set it aside.
3. Choose a spot on the side of one of the center
fingers of either hand. To help increase blood flow, the
fingers and hands should be warm to the touch. To warm
the hand, you can:
Preferred
fingerstick site
4. Clean the site with an alcohol swab. Dry thoroughly
with a gauze pad before pricking the finger.
5. Firmly prick the selected site with a single-use lancet.
22 Alere Cholestech LDX
. Wash the patient's hand with
warm water, or...
. Apply a warm (not hot) compress
to the hand for several minutes,
or...
. Gently massage the finger
from the base to the tip several
times to bring the blood to the
fingertip.
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System User Manual