I just made a boo-boo!

[njean]

I was about to test my blood on my INR monitor, & the first drop of blood fell on the counter so I used my 2nd drop of blood.

Should I retest w/a new test strip & draw blood from another finger? I've never had this happen before so I'm just wondering if my reading will be right or not?

Thank you!

P.S. My INR read 3.9 BTW & it's been running between 4.0 - 4.2 lately; I check every week. (I just pulled a "Freddie" --- I've got blood all over the keyboard! )

 

[Bina]

Norma......you silly girl.....I bet the test is fine, check again next week.

 

[ShezaGirlie]

Norma,
Don't know what machine you have, but CoaguChek wants the first drop..!

 

[Freddie]

I didn't realize those home monitors wanted the first drop. Fussy things aren't they?

Norma, at least I didn't get blood on the cupboard, floor or the keyboard

 

[njean]

Norma,
Don't know what machine you have, but CoaguChek wants the first drop..!

The monitor I have is an INRatio HemoSense from QAS. I used to have a CoaguChek & I know that it required the first drop so that's why I was wondering. Thanks a bunch for checking in ---- I appreciate that!!!

 

[njean]

Norma......you silly girl.....I bet the test is fine, check again next week.

Thanks Bina ---- I think so too! Thanks for replying! Have a good one!

 

[njean]

I didn't realize those home monitors wanted the first drop. Fussy things aren't they?

Norma, at least I didn't get blood on the cupboard, floor or the keyboard

And as for you young lady ---- enough of the self-mutilation --- keep all sharp objects at bay, please! Thanks for checking in!

 

[Freddie]

just add it to my resume.

 

[Bina]

It is so nice that Freddie has volunteered to be our Coumadin/injury test subject.

 

[Karlynn]

I always test with the 2nd drop. Old-school training from my Pro-Time machine days. You used the 2nd drop so soap or alcohol isn't contaminating the first drop.

 

[njean]

I always test with the 2nd drop. Old-school training from my Pro-Time machine days. You used the 2nd drop so soap or alcohol isn't contaminating the first drop.

Makes sense ---- maybe from now on I'll just use my 2nd drop! Thanks Karlynn!

 

[njean]

It is so nice that Freddie has volunteered to be our Coumadin/injury test subject.

Aye ya yay! Good ole Freddie -- amist all the blood & the guts & the gore!!!

 

[lance]

Why are we advised to use only the first drop of blood and not subsequent drops? My reasoning being the anti-coagulant is equally distributed throughout the blood stream and circulates everywhere at the same speed. Does anyone have an explanation?

The worst experience I had with not getting blood on the strip occurred after I used the Softclix and hit a stream of blood. It was on the overhead cupboards, the counter and in the sink as I tried to aim it unsuccessfully at the target area. Had this happened in a clinic setting ........................

 

[Bina]

Sandra, did you load your Softclix with razor blades?... LOL..... I have mine set on number 3.

 

[AgilityDog]

Geeze, my softclick is set on 4 and most of the time all I GET is one drop! I must not have finger veins.

 

[EVELYN]

Hi Jean

We never use Tyce's first drop....probably from Protime days when they wiped the first drop off on a paper towel and took the second drop.....hmmmm. Never thought about it before. I'm sure it's fine, I wouldn't worry about it at all. Tyce was 3.9 this week, too.

Evelyn

 

[lance]

Not exactly

Not exactly

Sandra, did you load your Softclix with razor blades?... LOL..... I have mine set on number 3.

Softclix is set to the maximum--5. When I complained about not getting enough blood, Ross once offered me the use of his 44. That day though the stick was superb though wasted.

 

[Bina]

I've had the setting up to 3.5 but that's it for me.
My fingers must have softened since I don't have lots of farm chores these days.

 

[njean]

I've got my "lancett launcher" set to a maxiumum of 5 too! I've tried using the lower settings but I just don't get a good draw. And I too have often wondered "why" I was advised to use the first drop because when I used to go to lab, they would normally use the 2nd drop to test?

Thanks everyone for your input! It's appreciated!

 

[catwoman]

I've got my "lancett launcher" set to a maxiumum of 5 too! I've tried using the lower settings but I just don't get a good draw. And I too have often wondered "why" I was advised to use the first drop because when I used to go to lab, they would normally use the 2nd drop to test?

Thanks everyone for your input! It's appreciated!

Maybe it's like providing a midstream sample for a urinalysis?

Seriously, I sometimes use the first drop of blood, sometimes the 2nd, maybe even the 3rd. (Do you think the machine can tell the difference?)
I do not use an alcohol prep pad, just antibacterial soap & water.