Overview of Dried Blood Spots
Advantages of Dried Blood Spots (DBS)
• Easy collection
• Simple transportation
• Easy and compact storage
• Safer to handle
• Centralized laboratory can perform testing
What type of lancet should be used?
• Incision device with a blade that cuts to a controlled, standardized depth. This provides better blood flow than a standard needle lancet.
• Device should have a blade which permanently retracts after use. This prevents the lancet from being used a second time and protects those individuals handling lab waste.
DBS collection cards
• These cards are not ordinary blotting paper.• The paper is designed with specific characteristics related to absorbency and density.• This assures that you have a specific volume of blood within each printed circle (specific to the card).
DBS can be collected from Vacutainers of blood (venous
puncture) or from finger sticks.
Conditions that affect DBS
• Heat
– DBS should not be exposed to high temperatures
– Store DBS in refrigerator for short term (1-2 weeks)
– Or in freezer for long term (months - years)
• Humidity
– After blood is spotted onto cards it should be completely
dried
– DBS must be packaged in airtight bags with desiccant
• Accurate volume of blood collected onto the card
Good Quality DBS
Poor Quality DBS
Poor Quality DBS
As with other lab samples, good record keeping is important