Order of Draw Tubes, Additives, Inversions and Departments

What is the purpose of the specific order of draw in blood collection?

To prevent additive cross-contamination that can alter test results.

What additive is used in Blood Culture Bottles or Tubes?

Culture media (aerobic and anaerobic).

How many inversions are required for Blood Culture Bottles or Tubes?

8-10 times.

What common tests are performed using Blood Culture Bottles or Tubes?

Common tests include: Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST) to find the most effective drugs for treatment & Gram Staining to identify the type of microbe

What is the additive found in the Light Blue Top Tube?

Sodium Citrate.

What is the purpose of Sodium Citrate in the Light Blue Top Tube?

it acts as an anticoagulant for coagulation studies, preventing blood from clotting by binding to calcium ions

How many inversions are required for the Light Blue Top Tube?

3-4 times.

What common tests are performed using the Light Blue Top Tube?

Coagulation Tests: Prothrombin Time (PT), Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT), Fibrinogen, D-Dimer, INR & Factor Assays

What does the Red Top Tube contain as an additive?

No additive.

How many times should the Red Top Tube be inverted if it is made of plastic with clot activator?

5 times.

What common tests are performed using the Red Top Tube?

Drug levels, Type and Screen, Crossmatch, Chemistry tests requiring serum.

What type of tube is the Gold/Tiger Top Tube?

Serum Separator Tube (SST), containing a clot activator and a polymer gel that forms a barrier between the serum and the blood cells after centrifugation.

What additives are present in the Gold/Tiger Top Tube?

The "Gold Top" or "Tiger Top" tube contains two primary additives: a clot activator (like micronized silica particles) to promote rapid clotting and a serum-separating gel at the bottom of the tube to create a barrier, separating the liquid serum from the blood cells after centrifugation

How many inversions are required for the Gold/Tiger Top Tube?

5 to 8 gentle inversions to ensure the clot activator mixes with the blood for proper clotting.

What comprehensive tests can be performed using the Gold/Tiger Top Tube?

Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP), Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP), Liver Function Tests, Lipid Panel.

What is the additive found in the Green Top Tube?

Heparin.

What is the function of Heparin in the Green Top Tube?

It inhibits thrombin as an anticoagulant.

How many inversions are required for the Green Top Tube?

8-10 gentle inversions to ensure the heparin anticoagulant is thoroughly mixed with the blood, which prevents clotting.

What common tests are performed using the Green Top Tube?

Ammonia, Carboxyhemoglobin, STAT Chemistry tests.

What is the additive in the Lavender/Purple Top Tube?

EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid).

What is the role of EDTA in the Lavender/Purple Top Tube?

acts as an anticoagulant by binding to calcium ions, which prevents blood from clotting

How many times does the Lavender/Purple Top Tube need to be inverted?

gently invert 8 to 10 times immediately after blood collection to ensure proper mixing of the anticoagulant (EDTA) with the blood and to prevent clotting

What common tests are performed using the Lavender/Purple Top Tube?

Complete Blood Count (CBC), Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR).

What is unique about the Pink Top Tube?

It is an EDTA tube specifically formulated for Blood Bank requirements.

How many inversions are required for the Pink Top Tube?

8-10 inversions to ensure proper mixing of the K2EDTA anticoagulant and the blood sample, preventing platelet clumping and clotting

What common tests are conducted using the Pink Top Tube?

Type and Screen, Crossmatch, Blood Typing.

What additives are present in the Gray Top Tube?

Sodium Fluoride and Potassium Oxalate.

What is the function of Sodium Fluoride in the Gray Top Tube?

It acts as an antiglycolytic agent.

How many times must the Gray Top Tube be inverted?

gently inverted 8-10 times, immediately after blood collection to thoroughly mix the sodium fluoride and potassium oxalate (the anticoagulant and preservative) with the blood

What common tests can be performed using the Gray Top Tube?

Glucose tests, Glucose Tolerance Tests (GTT), Lactic Acid.

Why is proper inversion important in blood collection?

It ensures the additive mixes fully with the blood sample to prevent inaccurate test results.

What can happen if the tube is underfilled or overfilled?

It can lead to inaccurate results due to improper blood-to-additive ratio.

Why is patient identification crucial before blood collection?

To prevent errors, verify patient identity using at least two identifiers.