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Blood sample collection

Please read all the instructions provided in your kit, including the warnings

Before you start

  • Collect the sample in the morning Monday-Friday and return on the same day

  • Plan your sample return in advance. Check the return delivery card in your kit for details.

  • Read all the instructions including the warnings

Blood sample collection tips

Pair of hands being washed with soap and warm water.Pair of hands being washed with soap and warm water.

Collect from warm hands

Run your hands under warm water.

Illustration of a sneakered foot in mid stride.Illustration of a sneakered foot in mid stride.

Get the blood flowing

Light exercise such as walking can help.

Illustration of a glass of water.Illustration of a glass of water.

Stay hydrated

Drink water before you start.

Illustration of hand with neatly trimmed nails.Illustration of hand with neatly trimmed nails.

Check your nails

Collection may be easier with short nails.

Illustration of a person sitting with arm straight by their side and hand below waist.Illustration of a person sitting with arm straight by their side and hand below waist.

Keep your arm angled downwards

Keep your elbow below your heart and your hand at waist level or lower.

Illustration of a left hand with the side of tip of ring finger circled.Illustration of a left hand with the side of tip of ring finger circled.

Select your finger

We recommend using your 4th (ring) finger on your non-dominant hand. Avoid fingertips with hard skin or calluses. Do not pierce the baby/pinky finger.

1. Prepare for sample collection

A pen filling in the date of birth, sex, sample collection date, and sample collection time on the bag label.A pen filling in the date of birth, sex, sample collection date, and sample collection time on the bag label.

Fill in the label on the biohazard bag.

Hands being washed with soap.Hands being washed with soap.

Wash and dry your hands.

Kit contents being taken out of box. Lancets, gauze, alcohol wipes, and finger band aids laid out.Kit contents being taken out of box. Lancets, gauze, alcohol wipes, and finger band aids laid out.

Remove all the contents from your kit box and open the packaging. The blood sample collection card must be kept on a clean dry surface. Do not touch the two circles.

2. Collect your blood sample

Lancet cap being twisted open anticlockwise.Lancet cap being twisted open anticlockwise.

Read the blood sample collection tips. Twist off the white lancet cap. Do not pull it. Clean your finger with the alcohol swab and allow to air-dry.

Right hand pressing lancet on the softer side of the tip of the finger.

When you’re ready, position the lancet to one side of the fingertip. Press down firmly until you hear a click.

Right hand wiping away first small blood drop with gauze.Right hand wiping away first small blood drop with gauze.

Use the gauze to wipe away the first small drop of blood.

Right hand massaging left hand and base of the ring finger.Right hand massaging left hand and base of the ring finger.

Massage your hand and finger. Do not touch or squeeze the fingertip — this prevents blood flow.

Dry blood card

Drop blood onto a circle and fill it entirely as shown. The front and back of the circle should be completely red when complete. Repeat for the second circle. At least one circle must be completely filled.

Right hand applying bandage to the tip of the ring finger on the left hand.Right hand applying bandage to the tip of the ring finger on the left hand.

Apply a bandage to your finger.

Blood sample collection card being folded.Blood sample collection card being folded.

Fold down the cover of the blood sample collection card and gently tuck it under the flap (marked with arrows). Do not flatten or press down on the card.

Folded blood sample collection card next to a three hour timer.Folded blood sample collection card next to a three hour timer.

Allow the blood sample collection card to dry for 3 hours. Do not apply heat to assist drying.

Blood sample collection card being placed inside the biohazard bag.Blood sample collection card being placed inside the biohazard bag.

Place the blood sample collection card in the biohazard bag and seal the bag.

3. Package and return

Biohazard bag being placed into the kit box.Biohazard bag being placed into the kit box.

Place the biohazard bag into the kit box. Double check you have filled in the biohazard bag label.

Kit box being placed inside the return envelope.Kit box being placed inside the return envelope.

Place the kit box in the return envelope provided.

Hand holding the return delivery card that explains how to return your sample.Hand holding the return delivery card that explains how to return your sample.

Send the kit back on the same day. Check the return delivery card in your kit box for your return method.