1. A finger prick is used to collect a small drop of blood on a glass slide, which is then smeared using a second slide held at a 35-45 degree angle to create a thin blood film. 2. The blood film is allowed to air dry before being fixed in methanol and stained using Giemsa stain for 15-60 minutes. 3. After rinsing in distilled water and drying, the stained blood film is ready for examination under a microscope.

1. Blood smear preparation and staining
Lab 2

2. Material

3. Procedure:
1. A finger puncture is made (blood is collected on EDTA)
2. A small drop of blood about 2mm. in diameter is touched to a clean
glass slide from one end.
3. The slide is put on a flat surface. The smooth clean edge of the
spreader slide is placed just in front of the drop of blood.
4. The spreader slide is held at an angle of 35o to 45 o.
5. The spreader slide is pushed smoothly and tightly towards the
opposite end, drawing the blood beneath it into a thin film. The
blood is allowed to air dry, then stained.

4. STEPS FOR BLOOD FILM

6. The shape of blood film

7. Giemsa staining

8. • The blood film is place in the staining rack in horizontal position.
• Fix slides in methanol 5-7 minutes.
• Air dry.
• Stain film for 15-60 minutes.
• Rinse in distill water.
• . Air dry and examined by Microscope.