Page 6 - Clinical Biochemistry 08PB804

Figure 1:different collection tubes

Collection of blood
• Venous blood is most commonly used for a majority of biochemical investigations. It can
be drawn from any prominent vein (usually from a vein on the front of the elbow).
• Capillary blood (<0.2 ml) obtained from a finger or thumb, is less frequently employed.
• Arterial blood (usually drawn under local anaesthesia) is used for blood gas determinations.
Precautions for blood collection:
• Use of sterile disposable needles and syringes.
• Cleaning of patient’s skin.
• Blood collection in clean and dry vials/tubes.
Good laboratory practice:
 GLP is an FDA regulation.
 Definition: GLP embodies a set of principles that provides a framework within which
laboratory studies are planned, performed, monitored, reported and archived.
 GLP is sometimes confused with the standards of laboratory safety like wearing safety
goggles.
Why was GLP created?
• In the early 70’s FDA became aware of cases of poor laboratory practice all over the United
States. FDA decided to do an in-depth investigation on 40 toxicology labs. They discovered a
lot fraudulent activities and a lot of poor lab practices.