Finger-sticks and heel sticks are an important part of medical diagnostics, providing valuable information to practitioners. A finger-stick is a quick, minimally invasive method of obtaining a small amount of blood for testing purposes. Heel stick tests are used on infants, similar in that they require only a small sample of blood, but instead involve sampling the capillaries of the heel. Both of these methods have become essential tools in the medical field for their accuracy and convenience.

Pediatric and Adults

Finger-sticks involve pricking the fingertip with a needle, which is then used to draw a few drops of blood from the patient. In comparison, heel sticks are used on infants and young children who lack developed veins in their fingertips. The process involves pricking the heel of the foot and collecting several drops of blood from this area.