Collection of Blood

COLLECTION OF BLOOD

Aim

To collect blood sample.

Blood

Blood is one of the most common specimen studied in various sections of the lab in search of blood related disorders and infections.

Blood will clot within a few minutes after it is removed from the body unless an anticoagulant is used, which stops the process of clotting. The anticoagulated blood is also known as whole blood. For immunological studies unclotted blood is needed.

Plasma, the fluid portion of unclotted blood, is obtained by centrifugation. Plasma is needed in coagulation studies. Serum, the fluid portion of clotted blood is collected without adding any anticoagulant. The blood bank laboratories require clotted blood for blood grouping and also for cross matching. However, in a blood grouping EDTA anticoagulated blood can be used.

Anticoagulants

The anticoagulant prevents the blood from clotting. The commonly used anticoagulants are

·              EDTA (Ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid)

·              Heparin

·              Sodium citrate

·              Sodium fluoride

·              Potassium oxalate