To maintain cryoglobulin samples near 37 degrees C, we use an "Infant Heel
Warmer" device from Fisher Scientific (catalog # 22-024-646). This device
is used to warm an infant's heel in order to "arterialize" capillary blood
for blood gas analysis. It consists of a plastic pouch containing a
solution of sodium acetate and a thin metal disc. One activates it by
grasping the metal disc between the thumb and forefinger of both hands and
flexing the disc rapidly. Some type of exothermic chemical reaction (or
heat of solution) ensues, producing a temperature in the 37-40 degree C
range that lasts about 15 minutes. Our phlebotomists wrap this pouch around
the sample tube and deliver it to the laboratory, where we transfer the tube
to a 37 degree heating block. We also used to use the low-tech "armpit"
method [never considered "other places"!! (-:], but switched to using the
heel warmer due to safety considerations. It has worked well for us.
Salvador F. Sena, Ph.D., DABCC
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Danbury Hospital
Danbury, CT 06810 USA
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