Cleansing the wound with plain soap and water for at least 30 seconds is useful in reducing the risk oftransmission of a bloodborne pathogen via an open wound. Squeezing the wound or cleansing the wound with an antiseptic, bleach, or other caustic agent is not recommended.

Blood cultures cannot be carried out on a specimen obtained through heelstick or other capillary samples because there is a potential for contamination and because blood cultures require large volumes of blood. Coagulation studies also cannot be carried out with a capillary sample. Capillary samples can only be used if a small quantity of blood is necessary. Tests that can be carried out using capillary samples include most chemistries, CBC, blood gas analysis, toxicology tests, liver function tests, and newborn screening. Capillary collection may be used for infants as well as adults.

Thrombocytes are platelets and are a component of blood but are not part of the WBC (white blood cell) count and differential, which shows the numbers and types of WBCs present in a specimen. Components and normal values include:
*Total WBC count: cells/gL
*Neutrophils: 54-62%
*Lymphocytes: 24-44%
*Monocytes: 3-6%
*Basophils: 0-1%

If 3 tubes, each containing 2 mL of CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) are collected, the collection tube that should be used for CRS is the second tube. The specimen in the first tube is used for chemistry and immunological testing but may be contaminated with bacteria found on the skin, so it is not appropriate for C&S. The specimen in the second tube should not be contaminated with skin bacteria. The specimen in the third tube is used for cellular examination.

Collecting a specimen from a vascular access device (VAD) may result in hemolysis of a specimen. A specimen should also not be collected during an intravenous (livo line start. Additional precautions include ensuring that the needle is secure, avoiding forcibly pulling on a plunger to withdraw blood or forcefully transferring blood from a syringe into a tube, discontinuing a sluggish draw, avoiding the use of 25-gauge needles, limiting tourniquet use to 60 seconds, and avoiding shaking or vigorously mixing specimens.