OCEAN MARITIME ACADEMY DATE 1 January 2017

ISSUE NO
MEDICAL CARE (MC)
PAGE NO

1.5 Blood sampling

Taking a blood slide
1. Obtain a sterile disposable lancet or, if one is not available, a sterile disposable syringe needle.
2. Take two microscope slides and clean them by polishing with a clean cloth.
3. Wash the patient's left thumb, dry it, swab it with surgical spirit and allow to dry.
4. Wrap a small length of bandage round the base of the thumb so as to congest the blood vessels.
5. Wash your own hands and then lightly stab the ball of the patient's thumb with the lancet or needle. A
drop of blood will ooze out.
6. Take one of the microscope slides and lightly bring it into contact with the drop of blood near one end of
the slide. Remove the bandage from the base of the thumb.
7. Place the slide on a flat surface and hold it steady with your left hand. Take the other slide, inclined at an
angle of 45°, in your right hand (Fig. 115) and place the edge in the centre of the drop of blood, allowing the
blood to spread along the width of the slide.
8. With a steady continuous movement draw the inclined slide along the length of the other slide to make a
fine smear.
9. Allow the smeared slide to dry, then place it in an envelope labelled with the date and the patient's name.