How to Use Your Crimson At-Home Lab Kit, Step by Step

In short

• Collection takes about 20 minutes at home with the FDA-cleared Tasso+ device.
• Collect in the morning before breakfast, Monday through Thursday, and ship it the same day.
• Fill the tube to the top line. If anything goes wrong, contact support before you send it; replacements are free.

Your Crimson lab kit lets you collect a small blood sample at home with the FDA-cleared Tasso+ device. There's no clinic visit and no needle in a vein, and the whole thing takes about 20 minutes. This guide walks you through every step, from unpacking the kit to dropping it off at FedEx, so your sample reaches the lab ready to process the first time.

What's in your Crimson lab kit

Lay everything out on a clean, dry surface before you start. Your kit includes:

• The Tasso+ device
• A sample tube
• An alcohol wipe
• Gauze and a bandage
• A biohazard bag with an absorbent pad
• A prepaid FedEx return mailer

If anything is missing or damaged, contact us before you start.

Before you start: four things that matter

These four things decide whether your sample processes the first time.

• Collect in the morning. Apply the device before breakfast. Many markers on your panel need a fasting sample, and collecting first thing in the morning takes care of that without changing your day.
• Drink water first. Have a full glass of water 30 minutes before you collect. Being well hydrated improves blood flow and makes collection faster.
• Set aside 20 minutes. Warm-up, collection and packing take about 20 minutes from start to finish. Pick a calm moment. You can eat as soon as the device is on.
• Ship the same day. Your sample needs to reach the lab quickly. Collect Monday through Thursday and drop off the prepaid FedEx mailer the same day.

How to collect your sample: 12 steps

There are 12 steps across three phases. Read each step fully before you do it.

Phase 1: Prepare

1. Unpack and check your kit. Lay everything out on a clean, dry surface and make sure nothing is missing or damaged.
2. Wash your hands with warm water. Wash for at least 20 seconds. Warm water gets your hands clean and helps your circulation.
3. Warm up your arm. Good circulation is the biggest factor in a successful collection. Move your arm in wide circles for 30 seconds, or hold a warm compress against your upper arm for 3 to 5 minutes. Your skin should feel warm to the touch.
4. Clean the collection site. Choose a fleshy spot on your upper arm, over the shoulder muscle. Wipe it with the alcohol wipe and let it air-dry completely. The device won't stick to damp skin.

Phase 2: Collect

Prefer to watch? Tasso, the device maker, published a short video on using the Tasso+ device. Your Crimson kit contents and shipping steps follow below.

5. Attach the tube to the device. Click the sample tube into the bottom of the Tasso+ device until it's firmly seated.
6. Apply the device to your arm. Peel off the adhesive backing and press the device flat against the spot you cleaned. Hold it in place for a few seconds so the seal is snug all the way around.
7. Press the red button once. You'll feel a quick pinch, and the device starts drawing your sample right away.
8. Relax and let it fill. Stay still and keep your arm relaxed below heart level. Filling usually takes 5 to 10 minutes. The tube must fill to the top line: an underfilled tube can't be processed and means a redraw.
9. Remove the device and cap the tube. Once the blood reaches the fill line, peel the device off slowly, detach the tube and press the cap on until it clicks. Put the gauze and bandage on your arm.

Phase 3: Ship

10. Pack your sample. Place the capped tube in the biohazard bag with the absorbent pad and seal it. Put the bag inside the prepaid return mailer along with the used device.
11. Drop it off at FedEx today. Take the mailer to a FedEx drop-off location the same day you collect. The earlier in the day, the better. Same-day shipping is what keeps your sample viable.
12. Track everything in HealthHub. We'll confirm when the lab receives your sample and let you know as soon as your results are ready, usually 3 to 5 business days after the lab receives it.

The two rules that matter most

Fill the tube to the top line, and ship the same day. Nearly every sample the lab can't process missed one of these two. If either goes wrong, don't guess. Contact support and we'll make it right at no cost.

Need help with your kit?

If anything about your kit or collection is unclear, reach out before you collect. We'd rather help now than have you redraw later, and replacement devices are always free. Email support@crimson.healthcare or reach us in the Crimson app, and track your kit in HealthHub.