Special Operations Forces Medical Handbook

8-54

b. Centrifuge the capillary tubes.
(1) Raise the minicentrifuge rotor center post to the upper position by pressing in the lock release
levers.
(2) Place the tubes in the rotor with their lower, outer ends against the seals and the inner ends
resting against the center post.
(3) Seal the tubes into place by pressing the center post down until it locks into position.
(4) Close the cover.
(5) Start the rotor by sliding the ON/OFF switch to the right; it will automatically shut off when
complete.
(6) Allow the rotor to stop.
c. Read the results.
(1) Read the hematocrit values through the clear window in the cover directly on the percent scales
marked on the rotor next to the capillary tubes.
(2) Slide the ON/OFF switch to the left.
(3) Press the cover, release the button, and raise the cover.
(4) Raise the rotor center post.
(5) Remove the capillary tubes and discard.
(6) Report and record the results in percentages on the laboratory request form and in the logbook.

Normal Values:
Males: 40% to 54% Volume Packed Red Cells (mean: 47% VPRC) Females: 37% to
47% Volume Packed Red Cells (mean: 42% VPRC)
Elderly: Values may be decreased Children: 31% to 43% Infants: 30% to 40% Newborn: 30% to 40%
NOTE: Critical values are less than 18% or greater than 61%.

Lab Procedure: RBC Count/Morphology

18D Skills and Training Manual

When: As part of a complete blood count (CBC), or to test for anemia and other red blood cell disorders.

What You Need: A properly collected blood sample, a microscope, a hemacytometer with coverslip,
diluting fluid, a tally counter, an RBC pipet, aspirator tubing, wipes, a clock, a Petri dish, a logbook, and
a lab request form.

What To Do:

1. Inspect the equipment.
   a. Check the hemacytometer, coverslip, and pipet for nicks and scratches.
   b. Ensure that the tally counter is operable.


2. Prepare the blood for counting using either the Unopette system or the pipet method.
   a. Prepare the blood for count using the Unopette system.
   (1) Using the protective shield on the capillary pipette, puncture the diaphragm of the reservoir.
   (2) Remove the shield from the pipette assembly by twisting.
   (3) Holding the pipette almost horizontally, touch the tip of the pipette to the blood.
   NOTE: The pipette will fill by capillary action. Filling will cease automatically when the blood
   reaches the end of the capillary bore in the neck of the pipet.
   (4) Wipe the outside of the capillary pipet to remove excess blood that would interfere with the
   dilution factor.
   (5) Squeeze the reservoir slightly to purge some air while simultaneously maintaining pressure
   on the reservoir.
   (6) Cover the opening of the overflow chamber of the pipet with the index finger and seat the pipet
   securely in the reservoir neck.
   (7) Release the pressure on the reservoir, then remove the finger from the pipet opening.