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Compare Fingerstick, Venipuncture & Tasso for Screenings

Choosing the Right Modality for On-Site Biometric Screenings: Fingerstick, Venipuncture, or Tasso?

At On-Site Health Diagnostics (OHD), we believe that one size doesn’t fit all — especially when it comes to biometric screenings. The right collection modality can impact everything from employee participation to data accuracy, turnaround time, and clinical follow-up.

So how do you choose between fingerstickvenipuncture, or newer devices like the Tasso self-collection system?

Let’s break it down.

 

🖐️ Fingerstick Collection

What it is:

A small lancet prick is used to collect capillary blood (typically 40–80 microliters) from the fingertip.

Pros:

  • Quick and minimally invasive
  • Ideal for point-of-care testing (immediate glucose, total cholesterol, and blood pressure results)
  • Requires less setup and fewer supplies than venipuncture
  • Lower cost per participant
  • Works well in high-volume or short-duration events

Cons:

  • Limited test menu (not suitable for hormone panels, CBC, thyroid, or specialty labs)
  • May not be as clinically accurate for certain analytes (especially lipid subfractions or calculated ratios)
  • Difficult for cold hands, calloused fingers, or dehydrated participants

Best for:

  • Wellness-only screenings with basic metrics
  • Events where time or logistics are constrained
  • Populations hesitant about needles

 

💉 Venipuncture (Phlebotomy)

What it is:

A trained phlebotomist draws venous blood from the arm using a standard blood collection tube system.

Pros:

  • Gold standard for clinical lab testing
  • Broadest test menu (CBC, CMP, hormone levels, thyroid, PSA, HbA1c, Vitamin D, etc.)
  • Enables reflex testing — automatically running additional panels from the same sample when red flags appear
  • Highest data quality for long-term risk stratification

Cons:

  • More invasive and time-consuming
  • Requires a phlebotomist and medical waste handling
  • Slightly higher per-participant cost
  • Participants with poor veins may be difficult to draw

Best for:

  • Employers transitioning to self-funded plans who need full clinical risk insight
  • Events tied to medical plan premium incentives
  • Populations with a high prevalence of chronic risk

 

📦 Tasso Device (Capillary Self-Collection)

What it is:

A wearable, vacuum-sealed device that adheres to the upper arm and collects capillary blood without a needle puncture.

Pros:

  • Self-administered and nearly painless
  • Great for remote workforces or “screen-from-home” options
  • No need for a nurse or phlebotomist onsite
  • Collects enough volume for lab-based testing (within test menu limits)

Cons:

  • Limited analyte compatibility (not suitable for CBC, large panels, or immediate results)
  • Requires shipping to a lab, adding 1–2 days for results
  • Training needed for proper placement and collection
  • Higher per-unit cost compared to fingerstick

Best for:

  • Remote or hybrid populations
  • Events with a “screen-at-home” offering
  • Employees hesitant about in-person testing

 

🧠 So… Which One Should You Choose?

Criteria Fingerstick Venipuncture Tasso Device
Test Menu Breadth ❌ Limited ✅ Broad ⚠️ Moderate
On-Site Speed & Simplicity ✅ Fast ❌ Slower ✅ Easy (for remote)
Participant Comfort ✅ High ❌ Moderate ✅ High
Best for Remote Staff ❌ No ❌ No ✅ Yes
Clinical Accuracy & Depth ⚠️ Moderate ✅ High ⚠️ Moderate

Recommendation:

  • Use venipuncture for deeper clinical panels or pre-self-funding risk modeling.
  • Deploy fingerstick at basic wellness events or as a first-touch offering.
  • Leverage Tasso for follow-up screenings or hybrid teams needing flexibility.

 

🔄 OHD’s Flexible Screening Programs

We offer all three modalities — and even combinations of them — based on your program goals, clinical targets, and employee population.

Need help choosing what’s best for your workforce? Let’s talk.

📨 info@onsitehd.com
📍 610 Coit Rd, Suite 200, Plano, TX 75075
📞 877-366-7483

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