How does it work ?

The Haemoglobin Colour Scale comprises a small card with six shades of red that represent haemoglobin levels at 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 & 14 g/dl respectively. The device is simple to use:

· place a drop of blood on the test strip provided
· wait about 30 seconds
· match immediately the colour of the blood spot against one of the hues on the scale.

The less sophisticated the device, the more easily we can respond...

This will indicate whether the patient is anaemic and, if so, the severity of anaemia in clinical terms. It will not identify minor changes in haemoglobin during treatment, but rather assist in the management of any patient with suspected anaemia, e.g. to decide whether a patient may require a blood transfusion,⁹ a blood count, laboratory tests, or be referred to a hospital or clinic for treatment⁷.

N.B. Colour and size of the Scale are approximate and for illustration only. Whilst g/l is acknowledged as the standard measurement, g/dl is still in common use for clinical and public health purposes.