Peer Assessment Tool

Heel prick for blood glucose in a baby

Before procedure
Gather equipment as per included list
Communicate with patient and obtain appropriate consent for procedure
Identify patient

This is an aseptic procedure, use aseptic technique throughout procedure

Steps

1. Wash your hands OR make use of alcohol spray

2. Wear non-sterile gloves
3. Ensure a warm environmental temperature and adequate lightning
4. Apply the warm facecloth to the heel to encourage venous filling
5. Hold the heel firmly in your hand and swab the skin using an alcohol swab
6. Allow the skin to dry
7. Pierce the outside of the heel with the lancet to obtain a large drop of blood
8. Discard of lancet in sharps container
9. Allow blood sample to drip onto the reagent strip or to be drawn up by the regent strip
(depending on device used)
10. Secure enough blood see manufacturers instruction for the specific meter used
11. Apply gentle pressure to the heel with a dry cotton wool ball

Peer assessment Revised January 2014

Procedure available on Sunlearn
Reference
Electric Book Works.2009. Newborn Care. A learning program for professionals. Cape Town: Electric Book Works
Henning, P. A., 2002. The examination of the newborn baby. Pretoria: Van Schaik
 Equipment needed for procedure

Heel prick for blood glucose in a baby

Alcohol spray and/or hand wash facility

Non-sterile gloves

Sterile lancet

Dry cotton wool ball

Alcohol swab

Reagent strips such as Haemo-Glucotest

Haemo-Glucometer

Warm water and a face cloth

Receiver

Peer assessment Revised January 2014

Procedure available on Sunlearn
Reference
Electric Book Works.2009. Newborn Care. A learning program for professionals. Cape Town: Electric Book Works
Henning, P. A., 2002. The examination of the newborn baby. Pretoria: Van Schaik