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Sampling with larger blood volumes
Choosing an appropriate sampling method
- Venous blood (collected by venepuncture) is usually preferred for routine laboratory tests; most lab reference values are based on venous blood.
Capillary blood sampling may be useful for pediatric patients because small, but sufficient, samples can be collected easily using the right technique1 - Capillary blood samples can be especially helpful in pediatrics, elderly patients, those with severe burns, individuals with clotting disorders, people who are very obese, patients who are anxious, and for those doing tests at home1
- The smaller sample size from capillary blood is easier to handle in clinics, home settings, and remote areas where real-time testing is needed to quickly diagnose patients (Point of Care Testing)1
- The type of sample should be considered when reviewing results: while differences between venous and capillary blood are usually small, significant differences in some analyte levels have been reported1*
EXPERT TIP:There are three main types of blood: arterial (blood found in the arteries), venous (blood in the veins), and capillary (blood from capillary beds, a mixture of arterial and venous blood, collected by capillary blood sampling)
These materials were created with input from leading experts and are based on global guidelines. However, users should use their professional judgment when applying any technique or method mentioned, and should always consider all relevant national, regional, and institutional policies and rules.
References
1. Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) document GP42-A6 (previously H04-A6): Procedures and Devices for the Collection of Diagnostic Capillary Blood Specimens; Approved Standard – Sixth Edition. Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute; Wayne, Pennsylvania, USA: 2008. * Clinically or statistically important differences in glucose, potassium, total protein, and calcium have been reported1. † It is often hard and potentially risky to perform venepuncture in children; removing larger amounts of blood can be dangerous, especially for anemic children1. Puncturing deep veins in children may cause painful bruising, bleeding, blood clots, infections, damage to nearby tissues, and other complications1.