• The Myoblobin Rapid Test can be performed using whole blood (from venipuncture or fingerstick), serum or plasma.
•
To collect
Fingerstick Whole Blood specimens
:
• Wash the patient's hand with soap and warm water or clean with an alcohol swab. Allow to dry.
• Massage the hand without touching the puncture site by rubbing down the hand towards the fingertip of the middle or ring finger.
• Puncture the skin with a sterile lancet. Wipe away the first sign of blood.
• Gently rub the hand from wrist to palm to finger to form a rounded drop of blood over the puncture site.
• Add the Fingerstick Whole Blood specimen to the test device by using a capillary tube:
• Touch the end of the capillary tube to the blood until filled to approximately 100 µL. Avoid air bubbles.
• Place the bulb onto the top end of the capillary tube, then squeeze the bulb to dispense the whole blood into the specimen well (S) of the test device.
• Add the Fingerstick Whole Blood specimen to the test device by using hanging drops:
• Position the patient's finger so that the drop of blood is just above the specimen well (S) of the test device.
• Allow 4 hanging drops of fingerstick whole blood to fall into the specimen well (S) of the test device, or move the patient's finger so that the hanging drop touches the specimen well (S). Avoid touching the finger directly to the specimen well (S).
•
Separate serum or plasma from blood as soon as possible to avoid hemolysis. Use only clear, non-hemolyzed specimens.
•
Testing should be performed immediately after specimen collection. Do not leave the specimens at room temperature for prolonged periods. Serum and plasma specimens may be stored at 2-8°C for up to 3 days. For long-term storage, specimens should be kept below -20°C. Whole blood collected by venipuncture should be stored at 2-8°C if the test is to be run within 2 days of collection. Do not freeze whole blood specimens. Whole blood collected by fingerstick should be tested immediately.
•
Bring specimens to room temperature prior to testing. Frozen specimens must be completely thawed and mixed well prior to testing. Specimens should not be frozen and thawed repeatedly.
• If specimens are to be shipped, they should be packed in compliance with local regulations covering the transportation of etiologic agents.