What’s The Difference Between A Capillary (“Fingerstick”) And Venous Blood Sample?
A blood sample can be obtained from a child’s capillaries with a simple prick to the finger or from a vein with a hypodermic needle. A capillary or fingerstick sample is easier to obtain (it can be done by someone with minimal training) and usually less traumatic to the child than a venous sample. If proper techniques are used, the two tests are not likely to produce different results. If performed improperly, however, the fingerstick sample may become contaminated with dust and dirt on the child’s skin. This may result in a false positive, which is the reporting of a much higher BLL than the child actually has.
