title: A new device for collecting cord blood.
abstract: Safe sampling of cord blood can reduce the risk of exposure to infectious agents by obstetric personnel. We developed a new device for collecting umbilical cord blood. Using a modified closed-cup instrument, gravity drainage within the sealed device allows for guarded-needle vacuum tube blood collection. The mean (+/- standard deviation) volume of blood collected with the device was 6.1 +/- 3.1 mL. Adding heparin into the device increased the volume collected by approximately 2 mL. The diameter and length of the cord were also related to the amount obtained. Only two of 122 samples (1.6%) had less than 1 mL of blood. The introduction of a closed container, umbilical cord sampling device offers a clear potential for risk reduction, particularly the risk of needle-stick injuries but also direct blood contamination. The device is simple to use, offers easy and safe disposal, and can be operated by physicians or nurses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West Hills Regional Medical Center, California, USA.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Eder
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Cutter
mesh_terms: D001800:Blood Specimen Collection / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / Q000517:prevention & control; D016602:Needlestick Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000295:instrumentation; D011247:Pregnancy