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