Specimen Required

Container/Tube:
Preferred: A plain (no additive) micro-hematocrit tube

Acceptable:  Blood directly from heel stick
Specimen Volume: Fill circles on card

Collection Instructions:

1. If the PKU card has not been filled out, then obtain the patient’s name, sex, and date of birth from the facesheet or from a parent/guardian and write this information on the PKU card.
2. Give the parent/guardian the blue and pink copies from the PKU card. These contain instructions and/or information for the parent/guardian.
3. Explain the procedure to the parent/guardian.
4. Heel Stick- Wipe away the first drop, and then completely fill all five circles on the PKU card.
5. Gently touch the filter paper card to the blood drop and fill each printed circle with a single application. A plain (no additive) micro-hematocrit tube may be used to collect the blood sample and applied to the PKU card.
6. Apply blood to one side only.
7. To prevent specimen contamination, do not touch any of the filter paper circles before or after collection.
8. Ensure all required information is written on the PKU card. OSDH will not process the card if information is missing.
9. Allow the PKU card to dry on a clean, flat surface or on a drying rack at room temperature for a minimum of three hours.
10. PKU's are sent daily to OSDH for testing.