SOPs OF BLOOD SMEAR AND STOOL

THICK BLOOD SMEAR PREPARATION FROM FINGER PRICK

Purpose

This procedure provides instructions for preparation of thick blood smears for hemoparasites from finger prick.

Materials

Reagents Supplies

•Absolute alcohol

•Cotton wool

•Gauze

•Protective gears

•Alcohol swab

•Jar

•Wooden applicator

•Drying rack

•Blood lancet

•Sharps container

Sample

Whole blood

Special Safety Precautions

All specimens must be regarded as potentially infectious.

Refer to Infection Prevention and Control Guidelines for additional safety considerations.

Quality Control

Refer to the Standard blood smear template.

Procedure

Follow the activities in the table below.

Step & Action

1.Label the slide with patient ID number using permanent marker

2.Clean the ring finger by using alcohol swab and allow to dry

3.Firmly press sterile disposable lancet to puncture the finger tip

 4.1 Wipe off the first drop of blood and slightly apply gentle pressure.

 4.2 Place a small drop of blood at the center of pre-cleaned scratch free,   labeled glass slide

5.By using a corner of another slide or an applicator stick spread the blood drop in a circular pattern making about 1.5cm2 Avoid making too thick smears

6.Allows the blood smear to air dry protected from direct sunlight, dust and insects

7.Transport the dried blood smear accompanied with the patient request form within an hour

References

       htpp.//www.dpd.cdc.gov

      Health Laboratory Safety and Waste Management manual

               

STOOL CULTURE COLLECTION PROCEDURE

Purpose

This procedure provides instructions for the collection of a urine specimen. 

Materials

Reagents, Supplies,  Equipment

Not applicable.

•Screw-capped stool containers

•Gloves

•Soap

•Permanent marking pens

•Transport box

Special Safety Precautions

All specimens must be regarded as potentially infectious

Refer to the Specimen Management and Waste Disposal Manual

Procedure

Follow the activities in the table below to collect a urine specimen.

Step &Action

1.Collection, Labeling and Registration

1.1.Properly identify the patient with at least the Patient’s name, PID, date of birth, and Doctor’s name.

1.2.Wash hands with soap and water

1.3.Wear gloves

1.4.Have all the needed specimen collection tools on hand Refer to specimen test catalog.

1.5.Explain the specimen collection procedure to the patient

1.5.1.Provide patient with a wide-mouth plastic, screw-capped stool container

1.5.2.Instruct patient to deposit approximately one spoonful (Spoon provided) into the screw-capped stool container.

1.5.3.Instruct patient to seal the specimen container tightly.

1.5.4.Ensure  the stool in the container is sent to the laboratory.

1.6.Label each specimen immediately with identifying information – patient identification (PID), date and time of collection.

1.7.Fill out lab request/report form for each specimen with date, time and initials of collector.

1.8.Check that PID on the specimen container matches with that on the lab request/report(Check specific name of form)  form.

NOTE: This labeling and matching is the primary responsibility of the collector and must be done carefully and precisely.

1.9.Place collected specimens in a transport container at an appropriate temperature, awaiting transport to the laboratory.

1.10.Dispose of gloves and wash hands after each specimen collection/handling.

1.11  Enter specimen information into specimen register book

References

               

      Practical Laboratory Manual for Health Centers in East Africa, AMREF, Jane Carter Orgenes  Lema  1994, pg. 170-171.

      District Laboratory Practice in Tropical Countries, Monica Cheesebrough Part I, 1998,