Blood Collection Kit Instructions

Important: These are general, safety-focused steps for a routine finger stick. If you have a bleeding disorder, take blood-thinning medication, are pregnant, or are unsure whether it’s safe for you to perform a finger-stick, consult a healthcare provider first.

Supplies you’ll need:

Soap and clean towel or paper towels

Alcohol wipes (provided)

Blue manual lancet (single-use) (provided)

Collection tube (with visible 0.5 fill line) (provided)

Sterile gauze (provided)

adhesive bandage

Provided biohazard bag and return mailer with label

Sharps container (or a puncture-proof plastic container with a screw cap) for the used lancet

Clean, flat work surface and good lighting

Step-by-step

1. Prepare your workspace.

Clear a clean, flat surface. Lay out everything so it’s within easy reach. Make sure the return mailer and biohazard bag are nearby.

2. Wash your hands properly!

Wet hands with warm water.

Apply soap and lather for at least 20 seconds (sing “Happy Birthday” twice or count).

Rinse thoroughly and dry with a clean towel or paper towel.

Do not apply lotion to the puncture site immediately before sampling.

3. Get the finger ready.

Choose the middle or ring finger of the non-dominant hand. Avoid the thumb and index finger.

Warm the hand for ~30–60 seconds (rub hands together or run under warm water) to increase blood flow.

Position the hand below heart level (hang it down briefly) to encourage flow.

4. Sterilize the fingertip.

Use an alcohol wipe to clean the side of the fingertip you plan to puncture (the outer edge of the fingertip is usually less painful and gives good blood flow).

Let the alcohol air dry completely (important — do not blow or wipe it dry).

5. Prepare collection materials.

Open the collection tube packaging if it’s sealed, and have the tube cap off if required by your kit. Keep the opening upward and ready.

Have gauze and bandage ready.

6. Prepare the lancet.

Hold the blue manual lancet by the body and twist the round cap/tab off to expose the needle or to arm the device (do not touch the exposed tip). Keep your fingers away from the tip after removing the cap.

7. Perform the fingerstick.

Hold the cleaned fingertip steady. Quickly press the lancet against the side of the fingertip and activate it so it punctures the skin (a quick, confident action is less painful).

8. Collect blood to the 0.5 fill line.

Allow drops to form. Gently hold the collection tube at a slight angle and touch the tube opening to the drop(s) so the blood is drawn in.

Note: Avoid heavy squeezing of the finger (that can dilute the blood with tissue fluid). If flow is slow, gently massage from the base of the finger toward the tip. Important: do not squeeze or “milk” vigorously. Keep the hand below heart level.

9. Continue until the blood reaches the 0.5 fill line on the collection tube.

10. Stop the bleeding and secure the sample.

Immediately press sterile gauze over the puncture site and hold firm pressure until bleeding stops (typically a few minutes). Then apply the adhesive bandage.

11. Cap the collection tube tightly so it will not leak. Wipe any blood from the outside of the tube with a tissue if needed.

12. Package the sample for return.

Place the sealed collection tube into the provided biohazard bag and seal it.

Insert the sealed biohazard bag into the return mailer, attach the provided return label, and prepare for shipment with USPS. (Do not include the used lancet in the mailer.)

13.Dispose of the lancet safely.

Put the used lancet immediately into a proper sharps container. If you don’t have one, use a rigid, puncture-proof plastic container (e.g., laundry detergent bottle) with a tight screw cap, label it “Sharps,” and keep it out of reach of children until you can dispose of it following local regulations. Do not put loose lancets in household trash or mail them back.

Aftercare and warnings:

If bleeding continues beyond 10 minutes of firm pressure, or if the site becomes red, swollen, or painful over the next few days, seek medical attention.

If you feel faint, lie down until you feel better.

If you are taking blood thinners, have a bleeding disorder, or are otherwise medically at risk, do not perform this at home without medical advice.