Capillary blood stability and analytical accuracy of 12 analytes stored in Microtainers®

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine feasibility of collecting capillary blood by traditional fingerstick and next day analysis after transport in Microtainers® at ambient temperature with no plasma separation. This study is pursuing an acceptable alternative to venipuncture for measuring 12 analytes important for health risk assessment. DESIGN: and Methods: Performance standards of a 12-assay chemistry panel were assessed using a set of paralleled serum and capillary microsamples. The panel included Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), Total Cholesterol, Triglycerides, HDL-C, Creatinine, Urea Nitrogen (BUN), Uric Acid, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), ALT (GPT), AST (GOT), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), and total protein. Correlation studies were performed using 31 simultaneous venous and capillary blood collections. Analytical bias, correlation, and medical decision points were calculated to determine equivalency of sample type and the impact of transport conditions. Clinical sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values were evaluated at calculated medical decision points for their usability in health screening initiatives. RESULTS: Laboratory test results using capillary blood samples stored in Microtainers® under conditions of delayed centrifugation, and mail transport at ambient temperature, showed an acceptable agreement with results obtained using their paired serum samples analyzed using standard methods, except AST. CONCLUSIONS: Capillary blood samples can be self-collected at remote locations using Microtainers® and transported at ambient temperature for 24 h for successful performance of several medical tests important in large-scale health screenings programs.