STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE (SOP )   :HAEMOGLOBIN ESTIMATION OF DONOR

                                        BLOOD CENTRE NAME

1. SCOPE AND APPLICATION

This SOP describes the method for estimation of haemoglobin of blood donors by copper sulphate solution before blood donation for assessing their suitability in order to ensure their safety as well as product quality. Copper sulphate solution is used for testing the haemoglobin concentration of blood donors before blood donation.

2. RESPONSIBILITY

It is the responsibility of the doctor on duty/ technician working in the donor area.

3. REFERENCE

• Transfusion Medicine Technical Manual, 2nd ed. Directorate General Health Services Ministry of Health & Family Welfare Government of India.

• Standard Operating Procedures for Blood Transfusion Service, World Health Organization, New Delhi,2002

4. MATERIALS REQUIRED

• Copper sulphate working solution with a specific gravity 1.053.
• Sterile gauze/cotton, spirit and sterile disposable lancets.
• Heparinized capillaries (dimensions: 75mmx1mm)
• Containers with 1% sodium hypochlorite solution for disposing sharp lancets, capillaries and bio hazardous materials.
• Coplin jar with lid.

5. PROCEDURE

Principle:

This is a qualitative test based on specific gravity. The drop of donor’s blood dropped into copper sulphate solution becomes encased in a sac of copper proteinate, which prevents any change in the specific gravity for about 15 seconds. If the haemoglobin is equal to or more than 12.5 gm/dL the drop will sink within 15 seconds and the donor is accepted.

N.B:

• Do not depend on colour of tongue or conjunctiva.
•  Accept a donor only if haemoglobin is >12.5g/dL.

Method:

1. Transfer 30 ml copper sulphate working solution (Sp.gr.1.053) in a appropriately labelled clean, dry coplin jar. 
2. The site of skin puncture i.e. finger tip is clean with a spirit swab thoroughly and allowed to dry.
3. Puncture the fingertip with a sterile disposable lancet to ensure good free flow of blood. Do not squeeze the finger repeatedly to avoid dilution of blood with excess tissue fluid which give false low results. 
4. The first drop of blood is wiped. 
5. The second drop of blood is allowed to fall gently from the finger from a height of about 1 cm above the surface of the copper sulfate solution into the Coplin jar or allowed to fill ¾ of the micro capillary with blood sample by capillary force without any air bubbles.
6. The drop of blood is observed for 15 seconds.

Interpretation:

1. If the drop of blood sinks within 15 seconds (i.e. donor’s haemoglobin is more than 12.5gm/dL), the donor is accepted for blood donation.

2. However, if the blood drop sinks midway (i.e. haemoglobin level is less than

12.5gms/dL), and then comes up, the donation or donor is deferred.

3. If the drop sinks slowly, hesitates and then goes to the bottom of the jar, confirm the haemoglobin of this donor.

4. If the donor fails the CuSO4 test, repeat haemoglobin by Sahli’s /Drabkin’s / Automated Cell Counter.

The donors having haemoglobin 12.5gm/dl and more are accepted for blood donation.

6. DOCUMENTATION

Enter the result on Donor Questionnaire and Donor Register.

Note

• The working solution is prepared fresh every morning and changed after every 25 tests.

• The Coplin jar is kept covered when not in use.
• The lancet and capillaries are disposed off in a container with 1% sodium hypochlorite solution.