Open AccessA novel device for collecting and dispensing fingerstick blood for point of care testing
Author(s) -
Alexis F. Sauer-Budge,
Samuel J. Brookfield,
Ronald Janzen,
Sarah McGray,
Anna K. Boardman,
Holger Wirz,
Nira R. Pollock
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0183625
Subject(s) - fingerstick , point of care , point of care testing , medicine , blood collection , emergency medicine , nursing , pathology , diabetes mellitus , endocrinology
The increased world-wide availability of point-of-care (POC) tests utilizing fingerstick blood has led to testing scenarios in which multiple separate fingersticks are performed during a single patient encounter, generating cumulative discomfort and reducing testing efficiency. We have developed a device capable of a) collection of up to 100 μL of fingerstick blood from a single fingerstick by capillary action, and b) dispensing this blood in variable increments set by the user. We tested the prototype device both in a controlled laboratory setting and in a fingerstick study involving naive device users, and found it to have accuracy and precision similar to a conventional pipettor. The users also found the device to be easy to use, and recommended minor ergonomic improvements. Our device would allow performance of multiple POC tests from a single fingerstick blood sample, thus providing a novel functionality that may be of use in many testing settings worldwide.