Collecting a blood sample is simple and should only take you a few minutes.
WHAT’S IN YOUR KIT
STEP 1
The best time to complete the test is the morning. Make sure you are in a fasted state.
Drink plenty of water before performing your test.
Ensure that your hands are warm by thoroughly rinsing your hands in warm water. Moving around is also helpful in promoting adequate blood flood.
STEP 2
Fill out all of the required personal information on the Test Requisition Form.
Remove one of the bar code stickers and place it on the back of the Qcard.
Write your name and the date on the Qcard.
STEP 3
Wipe the top finger pad with the Alcohol Prep pad provided.
Place the lancet firmly against your finger. Placement should be on either side of the top finger pad. Draw an imaginary line as shown on the picture. Anywhere on the line would be good placement for the lancet.
After you have pricked your finger, wipe away the first drop of blood.
STEP 4
Place blood droplets into the first box of the Qcard.
When your collection is complete, you should have enough sample on your Qcard that it reached the black line marked on the card.
Repeat the same process in all the Qcards in your kit (2-3).
Let your Qcards dry for 30 minutes, keeping them out of direct sunlight.
STEP 5
Open the Blood Sample Return Bag and place Qcard inside.
Leave items inside the Blood Sample Return Bag (desiccant and oxygen scrubber).
Seal the Blood Sample Return Bag.
Place the competed Test Requisition Form and the sealed Blood Sample Return Bag inside the pre-addressed, pre-paid return envelope.
The video below walks you through the five steps of sample collection.
Written summary of the instructions Video
at-home blood sAMPLE collection:
Wash your hands using warm, soapy water. Be sure to use warm water. Warm hands help with blood flow. Dry your hands thoroughly.
Choose a finger to use for the collection that has no calluses, scars, or warts. Wipe the top finger pad with the Alcohol Prep pad provided.
Place the lancet firmly against your finger. Placement should be on either side of the top finger pad. Any one of the X’s in the image below would be good placement for the lancet.
After you have pricked your finger, wipe away the first drop of blood, then place the next drop into the square box on your Qcard.
Start at the base of your finger, and move upward, stopping when you reach your top finger pad. Squeezing too hard can damage the blood cells and make Qcard unable to be processed.
Place blood droplets into the first box of the Qcard. Do not touch your finger directly onto the card. This may contaminate your sample.
Continue to place blood droplets (IMMEDIATELY) onto your Qcard until the blood reaches the first black line.
DO NOT ADD ADDITIONAL BLOOD DROPLETS AFTER THE BLOOD ON THE QCARD HAS DRIED ALREADY. This is a common case of improper sample collection.
When your collection is complete, you should have enough sample on your Qcard that it reached the black line marked on the card. See instructions for examples.
Let your Qcard dry for 30 minutes, keeping it out of direct sunlight.
Open the Blood Sample Return Bag and place Qcard inside.
Please leave these items inside the Blood Sample Return Bag (desiccant and oxygen scrubber).
Seal the Blood Sample Return Bag.
Mailing Instructions:
Place the competed Test Requisition Form and the sealed Blood Sample Return Bag inside the pre-addressed, pre-paid return envelope.
You have now completed your Qcard Dried Blood Spot Method screening. Your specimen is now ready to be returned and can be mailed using any US post office mailbox. Be sure to mail your sample the same day you collect it.
Your results should be available online within 7-10 business days, and a paper copy of your results will be mailed to your home in approximately three weeks.