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Blood drawing kit instructions
This leaflet describes how to use your blood drawing kit. Please make sure that you follow each step carefully.
This kit enables you to take a blood sample at home which you post straight to the laboratory where it will be tested for specific IgG antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. Once received and processed, the test results indicated by the COVID-19 BioCard™ will be emailed to you.
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Please do not perform this test if you are currently experiencing COVID-19 symptoms
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Kit Contents:
1 tube stand.
This information leaflet. 2 safety lancets (this is the device you will use to prick the skin). 2 alcohol swabs.
2 plasters.
1 tray.
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1 transport mailer.
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1 uniquely coded name card*.
1 blood collection tube (yellow lid)*. 1 prepaid return envelope*
*labelled with your unique ID code: coded name card, blood collection tube, transport mailer, prepaid return envelope as well as the kit carton.
********* This unique code anonymously links your results to you. Only you will know the code number on the blood sample you send. You will need it to link your blood sample to you, and register it to your own account.
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Please read the following BEFORE taking the sample: • Do not use this kit if you have experienced COVID-19 symptoms in the past 14 days. • If you feel unwell, stop collecting the sample and seek medical advice as appropriate. • This test kit should not be used if the user has a communicable disease (for example, HIV). • Do not use after the kit expiry date. • Store the kit out of the reach of children. The testing of any child under 18 years old should be performed under the supervision of their parent or guardian or a healthcare professional. • Each lancet can only be used once. (See “tips for bleeding” if using second lancet).
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Taking the Sample:
Allow up to 20 minutes to complete the process. Use a warm, clean environment with enough space. Step 1: Before you start
Place all the items from the box onto a clean table. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water for 2-3 minutes. Read page 11 or watch tips for bleeding below if required.
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Step 1
Step 2: Getting Ready
Make sure your hands are warm. Remove the lid of the blood collection tube and put it in the holder. Twist the safety end of the lancet, remove it and place it on the table. Open both the alcohol swabs. Clean your middle or ring finger with an alcohol swab and allow it to dry. Select skin without calluses or hardened skin on the edge of the finger tip.
Step 2
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Step 3: Taking the Sample
Rest your finger on a solid surface, and place the end of the lancet firmly on the side of the cleaned fingertip. Press the trigger until you hear a click. This will make a small puncture in the skin and you should see a small drop of blood appear. Wipe away the first drop of blood with the second alcohol swab.
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Step 3
Start to massage your finger with a slow milking action, from the base of the finger towards the puncture site. Standing and leaning over the table can help. Completely release the finger in between each stroke to allow the blood to flow back down into the fingertip.
Continue massaging the finger down from the base, collecting the blood drops into the blood collection tube. The tube has a scoop to assist. The blood collection tube has two lines on it. Fill the tube with blood to at least the lower line (400). Do not fill the tube above the upper (600) line.
Step 3
max 600 mll min 400 mll
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Tips for bleeding - Observe prior to using the spare lancet.
• Drink a large glass of water and wait 15 minutes. • Immerse your hand in warm water for 2-3 minutes. • To stop yourself subconsciously pulling your finger away from the lancet, place it on a firm surface. Stretch skin from the side of your finger and use the lancet at that point. • Standing, whilst leaning over the blood collection tube, allows the blood to fall vertically into the tube. • Slowly, with your thumb and 2 forefingers, squeeze up from your palm until your tip colours with blood. (practice this before using the lancet). • Lowering your hand below your heart helps the blood flow more easily. • Increase your heart rate. • Clap or rub your hands together (like on a cold day). • Keep your arm as straight as possible.
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If the blood flow stops.
• Don’t push just the tip - the blood will stop as it would if you were applying pressure to a wound. • You may need to use the spare lancet to puncture the finger again if you are still finding it difficult to fill the blood collection tube. Ensure you follow the steps in “Tips for Bleeding” before doing so. • Very slowly massage the finger from the base towards the tip. • Wipe the fingertip again using an alcohol swab and allow to dry to un-clot the cut. • Lower the hand more if you have not already done so. PLEASE NOTE if you need an additional blood drawing kit because you were not able to obtain enough blood for testing, please login to your account online where you will be able to purchase a replacement kit with all the components you need. IMPORTANT: we would need to know your original ID code.
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Sealing the sample.
Step 4: Sealing the Sample
Once there is enough blood in the collection tube (at least to the lower line but not above the upper line) push the lid back on securely until you hear it click. IMPORTANT: Leave the tube to stand upright on the table for 15 minutes in the holder. Wipe the finger clean with the alcohol swab. Apply pressure until the bleeding stops if needed.
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Step 4
Posting the sample.
Step 5: Posting the Sample Allow the finger to dry. Put a plaster on the finger. After 15 minutes, place the blood collection tube into the larger transport mailer. Put the transport mailer containing the blood collection tube into the pre-paid envelope and make sure it is sealed. The envelope can be posted at a normal post box or handed in at a post office. Step 5
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See video instructions here:
www.covid19biocard.co.uk
Bio-Diagnostics Ltd Rectory Road Upton-Upon-Severn WR8 0LX Email: covid19@bio-diagnostics.co.uk
Version 01 09-2020