Blood Collection

Capillary blood is obtained via finger sticks or heel sticks, which requires specialized specimen collection equipment. The heel stick method is used for infants or when only small amounts of blood are needed. Finger sticks are most commonly used to collect adult capillary blood samples. Capillary blood collection products include manual and automatic lancets, capillary tubes (plain or with anticoagulant), micro collection tubes, and other miscellaneous supplies (alcohol wipes, gauzes pads, etc.)

Venous blood is collected using a needle attached to a syringe or collected directly into evacuated (vacuum) tubes. These tubes contain a variety of anticoagulants or additives for different applications. Products for venous blood collection include needles, syringes, evacuated blood tubes, adapters, butterfly needle assemblies, and other supplies like tourniquets, vein location devices, alcohol swabs, gauze pads, and bandages.

Arterial blood collected for blood gas specimens can be obtained via catheter or using a needle and pre-heparinized syringe.

Urine Collection

Urine samples may be collected randomly or accumulated over a specific time period like 24-hours. Random sampling is typical for chemical testing (urinalysis) and for urine culture specimens.

Products for urine collection include sterile, clean-catch and midstream collection containers and kits, pediatric urine collection products, evacuated tubes, 24-hour urine containers, urine preservatives, and other related supplies.

Stool Collection

Stool samples may be collected randomly or accumulated over an extended time period. Random stool sampling is typical for culture, ova, and parasite detection, or occult blood testing. Chemical testing typically requires stool accumulation over a three-day period.

Products for stool collection include swabs, collectors for commodes, metal (paint-style) cans, as well as transport, sample prep, and concentration containers filled with various fixatives, solutions, and dyes.

Cell Collection

Surface cells are collected from the skin, the endocervix, and other areas of the body to help detect the presence of abnormal cell morphology. Products used to collect these specimens include brushes and scrapers, fixatives, cannulae, and transport media.

Sputum Collection

Sputum specimens are collected to help detect and diagnose tuberculosis, lung infections, and lung inflammation. Products include sputum collection devices and kits.

Drugs of Abuse (DOA) Collection

Venous blood or urine samples collected for DOA testing may require tubes or containers with chain-of-custody labeling and controls.