Blood level measurement at home via finger prick

When you collect a sample at home, you prick your finger yourself and suck up a few drops of blood with a special sponge.

In the hospital, blood is taken through a vein in your arm into a tube. The advantage of taking a blood sample at home is that you can easily do it yourself, without the need for a vial of blood. You will also be able to receive the results during your visit to the hospital.

Your sample will only be linked to your patient number, not to your name or date of birth. The return envelope will be sent to the NKI via a postal number, so that your name and address are not visible.

We recommend that you wipe away the first drop of blood with the included piece of gauze. You can suck up the second drop of blood and everyting that follows with the sponge.

No, please leave the swabs in their plastic sleeve. Pull open the valves of the collection kit and keep them open while collecting your blood. 

• Use the spare lancet and prick a different finger if necessary.
• Ask someone close to you to help you with the finger prick if you have trouble doing it yourself.
• Make sure your hands are warm and place your finger on a hard surface.
• Massage your hands beforehand for better blood circulation.

Yes, please make sure that the sponge is completely red. A white spot on the sponge indicates too little blood in the sponge. Please absorb another drop of blood until the sponge is completely red.

You may prick the same finger again, but it can be more pleasant and successful to use a different finger.

This is not a problem. You can safely return the collection kit to the hospital.

You can request a new home collection kit from the Oncotheek.

You can store the envelope at room temperature and post it the next day.

Note: do not store the envelope in the bathroom. 

You can put the sponges directly in the packaging. The packaging contains air holes, allowing the sponges to dry further.

It is better to wipe away the first drop of blood before absorbing blood with the sponge.

Did you absorb the first drop directly with the sponge? Then we can still use the second sponge to determine the blood level. You can then simply return the collection kit with the two sponges to the NKI. On the white barcode label, please indicate with an arrow which sponge was used to suck up the first drop. You can also note this on the manual.

• If there is too little blood: add another drop immediately to completely saturate the sponge. Is there no droplet available from the same finger? Then please prick a new finger with the spare lancet and fill the sponges completely.
• If there is too much blood: the sponge can become oversaturated. If this is the case, please use the second sponge. Use an arrow on the white barcode label to indicate which sponge is oversaturated. You can also note this down on the manual.

• Check if you have removed the cap from the lancet and then try again.
• If the lancet still does not work, use the spare lancet instead.
• If the spare lancet doesn't work either, please contact the Oncotheek. They will send you a new set.

If this is the case for you, please do not take the sample at home. Use the home sampling kit next time. Your blood level will be determined via the regular blood collection appointment.

In the case of a telephone appointment, we recommend that you still take the blood and send it in.

Please inform the Oncotheek or your doctor. Your blood level will be measured via the regular blood collection in the hospital instead.

You can request a new home collection kit from the Oncotheek.

Please contact the Oncotheek. If you have an appointment at the hospital coming up, your blood level will be determined via regular blood draw.

If you have a phone appointment, we recommend that you contact the Oncotheek. They can send you a new home collection kit.

Please contact the Oncotheek. They will send you a new return envelope.