A reproducible blood smear review requires every peripheral smear be prepared for consistent cellular distribution and proper clarity. Well-made peripheral smears can be prepared by starting with only a drop of blood at one end of a clean glass slide. The drop is smeared lightly and quickly with a wedge technique so as to leave a thin "feather" edge where all cells may be examined individually, particularly red blood cells.
After staining the slide, the examination begins. The site of examination is chosen; away from clumping, piling, or stacking of the red blood cells. This can most likely be observed at a site five or six oil fields from the end of the feathery portion (about 100 red cells per field). Such an area for examination is illustrated in the image below.
