Finger stick blood test

Health Act (OSHA), which regulates workplace safety. In particular, pharmacists who perform laboratory tests that require finger sticks are at risk from exposure to blood-borne pathogens. Pharmacies who perform these tests should have a blood-borne pathogen exposure control plan (BPEPC) that describes who should be trained about the hazards of blood-borne exposure, precautions that need to be taken to prevent exposure, and what to do when an exposure incident occurs (Rosenthal, 2000). More information regarding OSHA and an example BPEPC can be found at the OSHA Web site (www.osha.gov). 

Provide patient and health care professional education and medication information Evaluate and document patients and caregivers ability to understand medication instructions and provide oral and written counseling on their medications Refer patients by consult to specialty clinics, order appropriate laboratory tests and other diagnostic studies necessary to monitor and support the patient s drug therapy Perform venipuncture or finger sticks for the purpose of withdrawing blood for clinical laboratory test... 

This FINGER STICK test gives a good indication of whether the child is at risk for lead poisoning. However, it is simply a screen, not a definitive test. Finger sticks may provide a false-positive result, that is, the test often shows a higher level of lead than is actually present in the blood. This effect can be minimized by careful use of proper sampling technique. 

The false positives occur because of contamination from lead dust on a child s skin or from the environment of the laboratory. If the finger stick test is high, then blood should be drawn from the vein to confirm that the lead level is truly elevated. 

The other screening method currently used is a venous blood test, or the testing of blood taken from a child s vein. Some practices use the venous test on a regular basis to avoid having the false positives from finger stick tests and the need to retest. Finger sticks might be used, for example, only when a child will not sit still for the venous test. 

---