THICK BLOOD FILM PREPARATION METHODOLOGY | MATERIALS | PROCEDURES | PRECAUTIONS

Thick film is not always done in hematology laboratory. It is usually done in parasitology laboratory to allow for the concentration of parasite to be seen (Moody, 2000)

Materials Used:

·        Glass or microscope slide

·        Cover slip

·        Spreader

·        Cotton wood

Procedure:

·        A drop of blood is made on the center of a clean grease-free microscope slide. (about 15mm in size).

·        With a corner of another slide which covers an area about four times its original area, a spread out of the drop is made on the slide

·        This is allowed to dry.

·        Label the slide properly (Dacie and Lewis, 2012).

QUALITIES OF A GOOD THICK FILM

·        A good thick film must have just one layer. Uneven layer is  not well made.

·        A well made thick film must not be too thick or too light

·        A well made thick film must be able to reflect a print on a newspaper (Gleeson, 2008).