Determination of the bleeding time

 

Bleeding time

     If a prick is given in the skin with a needle, bleeding occurs, continues for some time, and then stops. The time elapse between skin puncture and the arrest of bleeding is called bleeding time.

Duke bleeding time method

1. Clean the tip of the finger with 70 % alcohol and dry it with a piece of cotton.
2. Get a deep skin puncture on the fingertip with a sharp lancet and note the time
3. Remove the drop of blood every 15 seconds by touching the skin gently with a filter paper, absorbing the drops of blood along its edge, and numbering them 1 onward.
4. Note the time when there is no trace of blood on the filter paper i.e., when bleeding has stopped.
5. Count the spots of the blood and express the bleeding time in minutes and seconds.