Hemocue Manual
Hemocue Manual
Hemocue Manual
001 Page 1 of 5
2. Responsibilities
Function Activities
Lab Technician • complies with this procedure
• keeps a record of all the data (direct print-out, transfer to pc, in
lab note book)
• follows the Quality Assurance regulations and keeps a record of
all the quality controls
• applies the maintenance procedures
• informs the lab manager when there is a problem with the device
Lab Quality Manager • checks that the internal quality procedures are followed correctly
• ensures that the quality control data is properly recorded
• subscribes the laboratory in an external quality program in order
to evaluate the quality of the lab data
Lab Manager • checks that the lab technicians follow the procedure
• checks that maintenance is done at the right time
• takes action when reparation is needed
• formulates a maintenance contract with the supplier
• checks that data is properly recorded
• supervises the lab quality manager
3. References
• HemoCue 301 User Manual
• www.hemocue.com
• Morris LD, et al. Evaluation of the utility of the HemoCue 301
• haemoglobinometer for blood donor screening. Vox Sanguinis
2007;93:64-69.
4. Procedures
The absorbance of whole blood is measured at Hb/HbO2 isobestic point. It is read by spectrophotometry
at 506 and 880 nm to compensate for turbidity.
4.2 Safety
All blood samples are potentially infectious. Follow standard safety precautions.
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4.3 Specimen
4.5 Procedure
• Check the expiry date of the microcuvettes and the date of opening of the vial.
If expired, do NOT use the cuvettes. Take a new batch of cuvettes that are not expired.
• Switch on the machine: Press and hold left button. The display is activated.
• Optronic unit is automatically checked.
• The display shows 3 flashing dashes: the analyzer is ready to use.
• Pull out the cuvette holder
• The most recent result is displayed
• For fingerstick blood:
o Clean the fingertip with 70% alcohol and allow to dry
o Puncture the fingertip (middle or ring finger) with a sterile lancet
o Wipe away first 2 - 3 drops of blood
o Fill the microcuvette in one continuous process. The correct amount of blood (10 µl) is drawn
into the microcuvette. The microcuvette should be completely filled. Do NOT refill!!
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• Wipe away any excess of blood on the outside of the microcuvette tip
• Check for air bubbles in the filled microcuvette. If present, use a new microcuvette
• Place the filled microcuvette in the cuvette holder (within 40 seconds after filling the cuvette!)
• Push the cuvette holder to its measuring position
• After 10 seconds the haemoglobin measurement is displayed
• Read and record the result. Remove and discard the microcuvette in the appropriate bio-hazard
container. Push the cuvette holder back into the instrument.
Note: Hb measurements in capillary blood give higher results than in venous blood (~ 0.5 g/dl)
Ref: Neufeld L, et al. Salud Pública de México (2002); 44(3): 219-227.
Paiva A de A, et al. Rev Saude Publica (2004); 38(4): 585-587.
Daae LN, et al. Scan J Clin Lab Invest (1988); 48 : 723-726.
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4.9 Maintenance
• Insufficient or non-uniform filling of the microcuvette (Rouleaux, agglutination): repeat the test
• Air bubbles in the microcuvette
• Incorrect mixing of the venous/arterial blood
• Excessive squeezing of the finger when collecting capillary blood
• High humidity (use individually wrapped microcuvettes)
• Troubleshooting: (see operating manual for more troubleshooting)
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