USADA has broadened its Blood Collection Program

Recently received this email from USADA:

"September 3, 2009 - You may have already received educational information from USADA or your NGB, or even experienced first-hand, the blood collection process…here’s the scoop in case you have any additional questions.

USADA has broadened its Blood Collection Program, to ensure the most effective Testing Program for athletes in the Registered Testing Pool. All athletes in the USADA Registered Testing Pool, as well as others who may be selected for testing by USADA, are subject to blood testing as part of USADA’s Out-of-Competition Anti-Doping Program. In addition, any athlete competing at an event where Doping Control occurs is subject to blood testing if selected.

Blood collection can occur in both In-and Out-of-Competition settings. In both of these settings, the DCO will manage the Blood Collection Session and will work in conjunction with a qualified phlebotomist (also referred to as a Blood Collection Officer or “BCO”), who will perform the actual collection of the blood sample.

At the start of the testing session, a DCO or representative of USADA will notify you that you have been selected for testing and that a blood Sample is required. You may also be required to provide a urine Sample.

The DCO will ensure that the Doping Control Station is suitable for blood collections, which includes maintaining the privacy of the athlete and ensuring that the Station is clean.

You will be asked to be seated for a period of time prior to providing a blood Sample. You will need to remain in a seated position, uninterrupted, prior to the blood collection.

In most cases the amount of blood that will be drawn for Doping Control will be less than a tablespoon. As the human body has approximately 6 liters, or 379 tablespoons of blood, the amount of blood collected for Doping Control is minimal, and your performance should not be affected.

You will be asked a series of questions related to your recent training and the altitude of these locations. These questions are necessary in order to have the full background information needed to evaluate your blood test results.

The DCO or BCO will provide instruction and if you have any questions regarding the process, please ask the DCO or BCO..."