Disclosed are methods, materials and devices for approximation of blood volume in a fluid, such as in a biological fluid collected during a surgical procedure. The method and devices include the use of a RBC flocculant, such as polyDADMAC, and an approximate blood hematocrit for the type of animal, as well as a calculated RBC packing ratio corresponding to the collection device being used. Also provided is a Blood Indicator Panel (BIP), comprising a series of markings calculated from an observed red blood settlement volume, the average animal type hematocrit, and a calculated RBC packing ratio ? value for the collection device. Pediatric (about 200 ml or 250 ml size container), adult human (about 1,000 ml-1,500 ml) and veterinary (about 500 ml-2,500 ml) collection containers are also disclosed, that include a RBC flocculant, for use in approximating blood volume in a fluid.

Disclosed are methods, materials and devices for approximation of blood volume in a fluid, such as in a biological fluid collected during a surgical procedure. The method and devices include the use of a RBC flocculant, such as polyDADMAC, and an approximate blood hematocrit for the type of animal, as well as a calculated RBC packing ratio corresponding to the collection device being used. Also provided is a Blood Indicator Panel (BIP), comprising a series of markings calculated from an observed red blood settlement volume, the average animal type hematocrit, and a calculated RBC packing ratio value for the collection device. Pediatric (about 200 ml or 250 ml size container), adult human (about 1,000 ml-1,500 ml) and veterinary (about 500 ml-2,500 ml) collection containers are also disclosed, that include a RBC flocculant, for use in approximating blood volume in a fluid.

Disclosed are methods, materials and devices for approximation of blood volume in a fluid. A blood indicator panel (BIP) device is provided for rapid blood volume measurement (in mls.) in a fluid (e.g., a collected surgical fluid). An RBC flocculant (e.g., polyDADMAC) may be used to induce more rapid sedimentation of red blood cells from the fluid. A series of markings is provided on one side of the BIP, each marking corresponding to a volume of blood (in milliliters). The markings are calculated by use of a formula: V.sub.b=V.sub.m/(Hct1.2), wherein Hct is an average blood hematocrit, and 1.2 is an RBC packing ratio value for a conventional 1,200 ml waste collection canister (1.2 alternatively referenced as ). The BIP does not employ centrifugation, electronic image transmission or analysis, is temperature independent, and is accurate to about +/10%.