1) Capillary blood collection is used to perform tests that only require a small amount of blood, such as hemoglobin, red blood cell count, total leukocyte count, and differential leukocyte count. It is not suitable for tests requiring large blood volumes or platelet counts. 2) Capillary blood can be collected from the tip of the finger, earlobe, heel, or big toe. It is used when small volumes are needed, veins are difficult to see, or for testing children or for malaria parasites. 3) The procedure involves cleaning the collection site with an alcohol swab, pricking the finger with a lancet to draw blood, discarding the first drop, and collecting the subsequent

1. Tansen School of Health Science
Practical write up
Title: capillary blood collection and blood smear
Aim: collection of blood by capillary method
Introduction:- capillary blood collection can be used to perform
the tests for which only a few drops of blood is needed. Capillary
blood is suitable for estimating haemoglobin, RBC count, TLC,
DLC.
But it is not sufficient for those tests which require large amount of
blood. Capillary blood is not recommended for platelet count.
Capillary blood can be obtained from different sites. i.e.
a) By using tip of the finger
b) Lobe of ear
c) Base of heel
d) Greater toe etc.
It is done when a small volume of blood is required, vein is
not seen easily, prefer to child and malarial parasites
investigation.
Materials required:
70% alcohol with swab
Dry cotton
Pricking needle or disposable lancet
Sharp container

2. Procedure:
Withdrawal of capillary blood collection:- for this finger tips is performed because there is less
chance of dripping on patients clothing.
1) Clean the site with cotton swab dipped in 70% alcohol. Let the area dry. If wet area, the
blood will not form round drop instead it may spread.
2) Prick the finger with lancet and let blood to flow and discard the first drop and wipe with
dry cotton and then let it to form round drop freely.
3) Take blood for the required test and press the finger with cotton swab to stop the further
bleeding.
Interpretation: we withdrew capillary blood collection only for small volume of
blood in required, vein is not seen easily.
Internal Quality Control:
1) 70% alcohol soaked cotton swab is used instead of 100%
alcohol soaked cotton swab because it evaporates fast in 100%.
2) Sterilization of skin should be necessary.
3) 1st
drop of blood should discard.
4) We shouldn’t be dribble over the side of the finger.
5) Lancet should be dispose into sharp container box.
References: Gupta R.K, Yadav B.K., A text book of medical
laboratory technology, 2nd
edition vol.II.