Phlebotomy Order of Draw & Tube Additives (copy)

Phlebotomy Order of Draw and Tube Additives

Phlebotomy Order of Draw

When performing phlebotomy, a specific order of draw must be followed to prevent specimen contamination and ensure accurate test results. This order is based on the additives present in the tubes.

• 1st Order: Yellow Top Tube

  • Test: Blood culture
  • Additive: SPS (Sodium Polyanethol Sulfonate)

• 2nd Order: Light Blue Top Tube

  • Test: Coagulation studies
  • Additive: Sodium citrate

• 3rd Order: Red Top Tube

  • Test: Serology, Drug levels
  • Additive: None (Plain tube)

• 4th Order: Gold Top Tube

  • Test: Biochemistry, Chemistry
  • Additive: Clot activator

• 5th Order: Green Top Tube

  • Test: Emergency biochemistry
  • Additive: Heparin (Lithium heparin or Sodium heparin)

• 6th Order: Lavender Top Tube

  • Test: Full blood count (FBC)
  • Additive: EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid)

• 7th Order: Pink Top Tube

  • Test: Blood group type & cross match
  • Additive: EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid)

• 8th Order: Royal Blue Top Tube

  • Test: Trace elements, Toxicology
  • Additive: EDTA

• 9th Order: Gray Top Tube

  • Test: Chemistry (e.g., glucose)
  • Additive: Sodium fluoride

Phlebotomy Tube Colors and Their Additives

Different tube colors signify different additives, which in turn determine the type of sample obtained (plasma, serum, or whole blood) and the department where it will be processed.

• Light Blue Tube

  • Additive: Sodium citrate
  • Sample Type: Plasma
  • Department(s): Coagulation

• Red Tube

  • Additive: None or clot activator
  • Sample Type: Serum
  • Department(s): Chemistry, Blood bank, Serology

• Gold (or SST - Serum Separator Tube) Tube

  • Additive: Clot activator and gel separator
  • Sample Type: Serum
  • Department(s): Chemistry

• Green Tube

  • Additive: Lithium heparin or sodium heparin
  • Sample Type: Plasma, Whole blood
  • Department(s): Chemistry

• Lavender Tube

  • Additive: EDTA
  • Sample Type: Whole blood
  • Department(s): Hematology

• Pink Tube

  • Additive: EDTA
  • Sample Type: Whole blood
  • Department(s): Blood bank

• Gray Tube

  • Additive: Sodium fluoride and potassium oxalate
  • Sample Type: Whole blood, Plasma
  • Department(s): Chemistry

• Royal Blue Tube

  • Additive: None or EDTA (depending on specific test)
  • Sample Type: Serum, Whole blood, Plasma (depending on additive)
  • Department(s): Chemistry (often for trace elements)

• Yellow Tube

  • Additive: SPS (Sodium Polyanethol Sulfonate) or ACD (Acid Citrate Dextrose)
  • Sample Type: Whole blood, Plasma
  • Department(s): Microbiology (for SPS), Blood bank (for ACD)