laboratory samples

blood cultures (how much + how many vials)

2 vials per draw

8-10 cc per vial

blood culture - aerobic vial color

blue

blood culture - anaerobic vial color

purple

light blue tube

citrate

coags (pt, ptt, INR)

8-10 inversions

red tube

no additives

chemistry

3-4 inversions

gold tube

SST (serum separating tube)

chemistry

4-5 inversions

light green tube

plasma separator

chemistry

8-10 inversions

dark green tube

heparin

chemistry

8-10 inversions

lavendar tube

EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid)

hematology (CBC)

8-10 inversions

pink tube

EDTA (ethylenediaminetetramine)

type & screen

8-10 inversions

gray tube

fluoride

chemistry (glucose)

8-10 inversions

urine samples - urinalysis

red-yellow tube

urine sample from:

• clean catch OR

• straight catheterization OR

• foley

send FIRST before urine cultures

ONLY if explicitly ordered

urine samples - urine cultures

gray tip tube

NOT the same gray tube used for blood draws

urine sample from:

• clean catch OR

• straight catheterization OR

• foley

send if urinalysis is POSITIVE

sputum samples - sputum cultures

obtain from:

• productive coughing OR

• inline suctioning from ventilator or tracheostomy

NOT the same as spit

sputum samples - bronchial aspirate lavage (BAL)

obtained during bronchoscopy procedure