Specimen Collection

Dried Blood Spot Card Specimen Collection

  1. Wash hands with soap and water. CAUTION: Do not use an ethanol-based sanitizer.
  2. The finger should be positioned below the heart to increase venous pressure. Massaging the hand and finger lightly before puncturing may also help circulation.
  3. Wipe the finger with an isopropyl alcohol pad. CAUTION: Do not use an ethanol-based alcohol pad.
  4. Allow the finger to air dry.
  5. Twist off the protective cap on the sterile safety lancet to break the seal.
  6. Place the open end of the sterile safety lancet against the sterilized finger, making sure that placement is slightly off-center. To activate, press safety lancet firmly against the puncture site. Do not remove the device from the site until an audible click is heard. CAUTION: Do not puncture the center of the fingertip. Blood flow is best accomplished with an off-center puncture
  7. Wipe away the first drop of blood with a tissue or gauze. NOTE: Wiping away the first drop improves blood flow.
  8. Wait for the formation of a large drop of blood before attempting to fill the collection circle. There should be a big enough blood drop to reasonably assume that it will fill the collection circle in a single attempt. Allow the drop of blood to come in contact with the center of the collection circle. NOTE: Allow the collection paper to wick blood out of the puncture. Do not press the finger against the collection paper and do not layer successive drops.
  9. Continue this process until all collection circles are filled by single applications. Be sure to wait for a large drop of blood to form between each attempt at filling the collection circles. Avoid “milking” the finger as this will cause more interstitial fluid to surround the puncture and will speed clotting (will slow/stop the bleeding). Do not layer successive drops.
  10. Record name and date on the collection card. Caution: Do not touch the filled collection circles.
  11. Affix one of the small barcode stickers from the bottom of the Requisition form above the name on the collection card. Caution: Do not tuck the cover or let the cover touch the collection circles.
  12. Once the card has been allowed to air dry for approximately 20 minutes, gently close the card ensuring not to touch the collection circles.
  13. Place the sealed card in the return box and seal the box.
  14. Place the sealed box and the Requisition form in the UPS approved mailer bag included in the mailer box. If sending more than one collection card, be sure to use separate return boxes for each collection card. Caution: Do not place inside an airtight plastic specimen transport bag.
  15. Dispose of used and leftover materials according to local protocol.
Specimen Collection

Urine Collection

Male Urine Collection Instructions

  1. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water, rinse and dry.
  2. Open the collection package but DO NOT TOUCH INSIDE OF CUP OR RIM.
  3. Open the towelette package. Retract foreskin if present. With the
    towelette, cleanse the urinary opening of the penis starting at the center and
    work outward.
  4. Remove lid carefully from the collection container, DO NOT TOUCH the
    inside of the container or rim. Gently grasp the container.
  5. Begin to void urine, letting the first 20-25 ml pass into the toilet. Position
    the cup in the stream of urine until the container is about half to two-thirds
    full. Finish voiding into the toilet.
  6. After obtaining the urine specimen, screw the lid on tightly again being
    careful to avoid touching inside the container or lid.
  7. Affix one of the small barcode stickers from the bottom of the Requisition form on the side of the sealed cup.
  8. Place the sealed cup into the return box and seal the box.
  9. Place the sealed box and the Requisition form in the UPS approved mailer bag included in the mailer box. If sending more than one urine collection cup, be sure to use separate return boxes for each specimen.
  10. Dispose of used and leftover materials according to local protocol.
Smart PGx

Female Urine Collection Instructions

  1. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water, rinse and dry.
  2. Open the collection package but DO NOT TOUCH INSIDE OF CUP OR RIM.
  3. Open the towelette package. While seated on the toilet spread labia major
    (outer folds). With the towelette, wipe the labia minora (inner fold)
    using a single downward stroke. Discard towelette.
  4. Remove lid carefully from the collection container, DO NOT TOUCH the inside of
    the container or rim. Gently grasp the container.
  5. Begin to void urine, letting the first 20-25 ml pass into the toilet. Position the cup in
    the stream of urine until the container is about one-half to two-thirds full. Finish
    voiding into the toilet.
  6. After obtaining the urine specimen, screw the lid on tightly again being careful to
    avoid touching inside the container or lid.
  7. Affix one of the small barcode stickers from the bottom of the Requisition form on the side of the sealed cup.
  8. Place the sealed cup into the return box and seal the box.
  9. Place the sealed box and the Requisition form in the UPS approved mailer bag included in the mailer box. If sending more than one urine collection cup, be sure to use separate return boxes for each specimen.
  10. Dispose of used and leftover materials according to local protocol.
Public Health