Preparation

• 1). Cover work area with absorbent paper, securing edges if necessary.
  
  
• 2). Organize capillary tubes and absorbent wipes for easy reach. Place rack containing blood specimen on work area.
  
  
• 3). Put on gloves.
  
  

Filling the Tube

• 1). Open lid on blood specimen tube.
  
  
• 2). Insert capillary tube tip into the top portion of the blood specimen. Fill capillary tube to approximately 3/4 full, using capillary action.
  
  
• 3). Place the dry end of the capillary tube into the sealing clay at a 90 degree angle.
  
  

Centrifugation

• 1). Remove capillary tube from sealing clay.
  
  
• 2). Place capillary tube into the centrifuge, sealed end out. Close top of centrifuge, tightening cover.
  
  
• 3). Centrifuge for five minutes at 10,000 to 15,000 rpm.
  
  
• 4). Remove capillary tube from centrifuge and take to reading device.
  
  

Determining Result

• 1). Place capillary tube on reader, positioning so the bottom of the tube containing the red cells is within the measuring area.
  
  
• 2). Measure packed red cells against numbers or chart on the reader.
  
  
• 3). Report percentage, rounded to the nearest whole number.