Preparation of Thick and Thin Blood Smears

Preparation of thick and thin blood smears 1. Making thin blood smear preparations(Thin Films) Peripheral blood smear (A peripheral blood smear / peripheral blood film) is a method that is still used today for laboratory examinations. The principle of examining a smear is to drip blood and then expose it to a glass object, then stain it (usually Giemsa, Wright) and examine it under a microscope. 1.1.Tools and materials: a. Plastic pipette b. Blood tester (spreader glass) ‒ quartered object glass c. Mold / patrun. This print is placed under a glass slide, used to determine the amount of blood needed and over which areas the blood should be spread to create a thick exposure. d. Microscope e. Immersion oil 1.2.Procedure: What is used to make peripheral blood smears is the push slide technique (push slide) which was first introduced byMaxwell Wintrobeand has become the standard method for preparing peripheral blood smears. The procedure is as follows: a. Place a glass slide that is completely clean and free of scratches, on top of the mold. b. Clean the fingers or legs using an alcohol swab or cotton wool soaked in 70% alcohol, let it dry. With a sterile lancet, prick the finger or limb. c. Press well to get large blood droplets. Collect blood in a plastic pipette or other suitable device. d. Save blood to fill large circles for thick exposures and small circles for thin exposures. Immediately spread a thin layer using a spreader with smooth, even edges. e. Label the object glass (patient's name and register), using a black glass pencil. Let it dry, by placing the slide in a horizontal position and in a safe place. It is not recommended to store the preparation for more than 4 days before staining 2. Prepare a thick blood smear(thick film) 2.1.Tools and Materials: a. Plastic pipette b. Blood tester (spreader glass) object glass divided into four c. Mold/pattern. This print is placed under a glass slide, used to determine the amount of blood needed and over which areas the blood should be spread to create a thick exposure. d. Microscope e. Immersion oil 2.1. Procedure a. Place a glass slide that is completely clean and free of scratches, on top of the mold b. Clean the fingers or legs using an alcohol swab or cotton wool soaked in 70% alcohol and let dry. c. With a sterile lancet, prick the finger or limb d. Press well to get large blood droplets e. Collect blood in a plastic pipette or other suitable device f. Save blood to fill a large circle of thick exposure water g. Immediately spread a thin layer using a spreader with smooth, even edges h. Label the slide (patient's name and register), using a black glass pencil i. Let it dry, by placing the slide in a horizontal position and in a safe place. It is not recommended to store the preparation for more than 4 days before staining.