11SPECIMEN COLLECTION AND HANDLING
Cholestech LDX System Procedure Manual
I
R
O
For Information Only
Recommended Optional Information
< TABLE OF CONTENTS
6. Select the venipuncture site.
7. Clean the venipuncture site with a 70% isopropyl alcohol pad, making one smooth
circular pass of the venipuncture site.
8. Allow the skin to dry to prevent hemolysis of the specimen and to prevent the
patient from having a burning sensation when the venipuncture is performed.
Do not touch the venipuncture site after cleaning it.
9. Perform the following procedure:
• Grasp the patient’s arm near the venipuncture site using your thumb to draw
the skin tight.
• With the needle bevel facing up, line up the needle with the vein. Penetrate the
skin and enter the vein at an angle of approximately 45º.
• Holding the flange of the needle holder, push the tube forward until the back
end of the needle punctures the stopper. While the needle is in the vein, keep
the tube below the puncture site.
• When the blood starts flowing into the tube, release the tourniquet and open
the patient’s hand. This allows circulation to return to normal and reduces
bleeding at the venipuncture site. When drawing multiple tubes, keep the
tourniquet in place until the last tube is being collected.
• Keep constant, forward pressure on the tube (in the direction of the needle);
this prevents the shutoff valve from closing and stopping the flow of blood.
• When the blood stops flowing, remove the tube from the holder. The needle’s
shutoff valve will stop the blood flow until the next tube is inserted.
• Tubes containing an anticoagulant should be allowed to fill until the vacuum is
exhausted and blood flow ceases (this assures the correct ratio of anticoagulant
to blood volume). Gently invert the tube five to ten times to mix the blood and
anticoagulant. Do not shake the tube vigorously.
• Insert the next tube into the holder and repeat the collection procedure.
If a blood sample cannot be obtained, change the position of the needle. If the needle
has penetrated too far into the vein, pull it back a bit. If it has not penetrated far enough,
move it farther into the vein. If this does not help, try inserting another evacuated tube.
10. Remove the needle and bandage the site.
• After the tube has been withdrawn from the holder, gently remove the needle
from the venipuncture site. Immediately apply a sterile gauze pad to the site,
and tell the patient to keep pressure on the site for two minutes.
• Apply an adhesive or gauze bandage over the venipuncture site after the
bleeding has stopped. The patient should leave the bandage on for a minimum
of 15 minutes.
11. Dispose of the puncture unit. To prevent injury and to be sure needles are not
reused, promptly dispose of the needle and the blood tube holder in an
appropriate biohazard container.
Do not recap the needle.
To Next Page
Loading...