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Home Pathology




Blood Tubes

Blood Samples (last reviewed 5 Jan 2012)

Notes     

  • Check repertoire for correct vacuum blood tube type.
  • Out-of-date sample bottles will be refused - please note expiry date of container before use.
  • Additives (anti-coagulant etc) in tubes are for appropriate preservation of samples. If an error is made, one should not transfer the blood from one tube to another as this may lead to erroneous results and may also affect laboratory equipment.
  • Please check that correct anticoagulant is used.
  • If patients are difficult to bleed a PLAIN CLOT (red) can be substituted for a GEL CLOT (gold), but not vice versa.
  • There are  Special Instructions for Transfusion samples
  • When blood is collected from a vein using a needle, please use adult bottles whenever possible.See repertoire.

Order of draw (NCCLS* recommended)

*National Committee for Clinical Standards

  • Using the following NCCLS recommended Order of Draw will reduce the possibility of effects due to the carryover of tube additives to a minimum
  • Allow tubes to fill to the mark to ensure the correct ratio of blood to tube additives. All plastic tubes contain additives, even serum tubes contain a spray dried clot activator.
  • Ensure that filled tubes are thoroughly mixed by complete inversion (not shaking) 6-8 times
Order of drawTube ColourTubeDescriptionNotes
Blood cultures must be taken first.
1BlueCitrate (blue)3.5mL coagulation Sodium Citrate 
2RedPlain clot (red)Biochemistry: 4 mL Serum Clot Activator without gel. Microbiology: 9mL Serum Clot Activator without gelNote: where plain clot is specified, Gel Clots are not suitable.
3goldGel Clot (Gold)4 mL Serum Sep. Clot ActivatorIf patients are difficult to bleed a PLAIN CLOT (red) can be substituted for a GEL CLOT (gold), but not vice versa.
4greenLITH HEP (Green)4 mL Lithium Heparin 
5purple, pinkEDTA (purple)4 mL EDTA 
6Xmatch EDTA (pink)6 mL EDTA 
7greyFLU OXA (grey)4 mL Fluoride Oxalate 
8royal blueTRACE (dark blue)6 mL Sodium Heparin Trace Elements 
9 any other  

Blood Collection using vacuum blood tubes

1instructions1Remove the cover over the valve section of the multisample needle.
2Instructions2Screw the needle into the tube holder.
3Instructions3Insert the needle into the vein as usual.
4Instructions4Push the tube into the holder and onto the needle valve puncturing the rubber diaphragm. Hold tube in place with the thumb until tube is filled to the required level.
5Instructions5When the first tube is full and the blood flow ceases remove it from the holder. Further samples can then be collected by introducing more tubes into the holder. See order of draw
6Instructions6Mix tubes by inversion 6-8 times. After the last tube has been collected remove the needle from the vein.
7Instructions6For safety reasons carefully dispose of the needle in the sharps box.
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