Blood tubesBlood tubes

Blood tubesBlood tubes

Using the appropriate phlebotomy supplies is imperative for accurate test results.

Each vacutainer tube is color-coded to facilitate proper specimen collection.

Please be sure to use the proper tube for the desired test.

Anticoagulants Anticoagulants

Hematology testing primarily uses whole Hematology testing primarily uses whole blood samples (Blood colection1%BW)blood samples (Blood colection1%BW)

Hemostatic testing uses both whole blood Hemostatic testing uses both whole blood and blood plasmaand blood plasma

An anticoagulant is a chemical that , when An anticoagulant is a chemical that , when added to the whole blood sample, added to the whole blood sample, prevents or delays clotting (coagulation) of prevents or delays clotting (coagulation) of the sample the sample

Regardless of the anticoagulant chosen, Regardless of the anticoagulant chosen, the sample and anticoagulant must be the sample and anticoagulant must be well mixed (by gentle inversion0 before well mixed (by gentle inversion0 before useuse

Samples that are not tested within 1 hour Samples that are not tested within 1 hour of collection should be refrigerated .of collection should be refrigerated .

Lavender topLavender topPotassium EDTA Potassium EDTA (K2 or K3 EDTA): (K2 or K3 EDTA): For tests requiring For tests requiring EDTA plasma, EDTA plasma, separate plasma separate plasma appropriately.appropriately.

Use for CBC and Use for CBC and blood cultures blood cultures

Ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA)

Green tops Green tops

The interior of the tube wall is coated The interior of the tube wall is coated with sodium heparin, lithium heparin, with sodium heparin, lithium heparin, or ammonium heparinor ammonium heparin

The anticoagulant heparin activates The anticoagulant heparin activates antithrombins, thus blocking the antithrombins, thus blocking the coagulation cascade and producing a coagulation cascade and producing a whole blood / plasma sample instead whole blood / plasma sample instead of clotted blood plus serum of clotted blood plus serum

Green top Green top

Sodium Heparin: Sodium Heparin: Preferred heparin Preferred heparin tube for send out tube for send out testing. testing.

It is glass and Does It is glass and Does Not contain inert gelNot contain inert gel

For plasma For plasma determinations in determinations in avian and reptilesavian and reptiles

Lt. Green topLt. Green top

Lithium Heparin: Lithium Heparin: Contains an inert Contains an inert gel for separating gel for separating plasma, which plasma, which acts as a barrier acts as a barrier between cells between cells and plasma after and plasma after centrifugation. centrifugation.

Red top Red top Contains no anticoagulant. Contains no anticoagulant.

Used in Blood Drug Screens Used in Blood Drug Screens and other testing where the gel and other testing where the gel additive could interfere with additive could interfere with testing.testing.

Red No Gel tubes are available Red No Gel tubes are available in "No Additive" clot tubes as in "No Additive" clot tubes as well as "Clot Activator" tubes well as "Clot Activator" tubes for serum collection. for serum collection.

Please take care to inspect the Please take care to inspect the tube label to identify the tube label to identify the additive type.additive type.

Use for serum determinations Use for serum determinations in chemistry, serology and in chemistry, serology and Immunohematology (blood Immunohematology (blood banking). banking).

TESTS -SEROLOGYTESTS -SEROLOGY

Red-Gray (tiger) Red-Gray (tiger)

Contains clot activator and Contains clot activator and inert gel for separating inert gel for separating serum, which acts as a serum, which acts as a barrier between cells and barrier between cells and serum after centrifugation. serum after centrifugation.

During centrifugation the During centrifugation the barrier gel moves upward barrier gel moves upward to the serum - clot to the serum - clot interface, where it forms a interface, where it forms a stable barrier separating stable barrier separating the serum from fibrin and the serum from fibrin and cells.cells.

Important Important

For tests requiring serum, a blood sample is For tests requiring serum, a blood sample is drawn into a tube containing no anticoagulant. drawn into a tube containing no anticoagulant. The blood must be allowed to clot for The blood must be allowed to clot for approximately approximately 30 minutes30 minutes before before centrifugation. centrifugation.

Clotted blood should then be centrifuged for Clotted blood should then be centrifuged for 10-15 minutes. 10-15 minutes.

The serum can then be separated from the cells The serum can then be separated from the cells and transported in an aliquot tube, if necessary. and transported in an aliquot tube, if necessary.

The use of a transfer pipette is the required The use of a transfer pipette is the required method, please DO NOT tilt the original tube method, please DO NOT tilt the original tube when separating the serum into an aliquot tube. when separating the serum into an aliquot tube.

The presence of red blood cells may give The presence of red blood cells may give erroneous resultserroneous results

It is the responsibility of all personnel who collect laboratory specimens to properly label the specimens to assure accurate patient/sample identification.