What is Blood?
Blood is a fluid that supplies oxygen and nutrients to the cells while removing carbon dioxide and other waste materials.
Technically, blood is a transport liquid that the heart (or a comparable structure) pumps to all regions of the body before returning to the heart to restart the process.
So, what is blood collection tubes?
Blood collection tubes are sterile, vacuum-sealed containers that collect blood samples for diagnostic reasons. They are part of the Evacuated Tube System (ETS), which is intended to expedite the process of collecting blood sample.
Key Features
Vacuum Seal
The tubes contain a premeasured amount of vacuum that draws blood into the tube from the patient’s vein.
Additives
Some tubes contain additives to preserve or stabilize the blood sample before testing. The color of the top of the tube indicates the additives it contains.
Safety
Some tubes have safety-engineered stoppers.
Compatibility
The tubes use a standardized plastic mold that phlebotomists are familiar with.
Tube Cap Color
Most blood collection tubes contain an additive that either promotes or stops blood clotting (clot activator, anticoagulant). These are the types of cap color and what they do.
Light-Blue
Additive : 3.2% Sodium Citrate
Function : Prevents blood from clotting by binding calcium
Lab Test : Coagulation
Red or Gold
Additive : Serum tube with or without clot activator or gel
Function : Clot activator promotes blood clotting with glass or silica particles. Gel separates serum from cells
Lab Test : Chemistry, Serology, Immunology
Green
Additive : Sodium or lithium heparin with or without gel
Function : Prevents clotting by inhibiting thrombin and thromboplastin
Lab Test : Stat and routine chemistry
Lavendar or Pink
Additive : Potassium EDTA
Function : Prevents clotting by binding calcium
Lab Test : Hematology and blood bank
Gray
Additive : Sodium fluoride, and sodium or potassium oxalate
Function : Fluoride inhibits glycolysis, and oxalate prevents clotting by precipitating calcium.
Lab Test : Glucose (especially when testing will be delayed), blood alcohol, lactic acid
Type of Container & Transportation
Urine Container
Urine 24 hours
Sterile Container
Used to store
- Urine
- Stool
- Pus
- Semen
- Body fluids
- Small tissue for
Histopathology and cytology - Urine Biochemistry
Sterile Bijou Bottle
- CSF specimen for C&S
- CSF specimen for biochemistry
Transport stool for rectal swab C&S
- Selenite F – for isolation
Salmonella, &Shigella - Alkaline peptone water
(APW) –for isolation of
Vibrio sp
Viral Transport Medium (VTM)
- Throat swab/rectal swab/NP swab
for Virology Culture
Capillary tube
- Capillary blood gas
Bacterial transport media with charcoal
- Swab for bacterial C&S
- Environmental swab for bacteria and fungi C&S
Bullet tube (1 ml)-Plain tube Peads
- Serology test only
- Immunology
- Virology
ESR tube
- ESR test (fill sanple up toindicator line)
Heparinized syringe
- ABG test (transport sample with ice)
Sample Transportation
Ammonia
ABG Test
Three Layer Packaging for H1N1
Ice Box for blood bag
Biohazard plastic bag
◦ Other samples such as blood tube, urine container and etc. ◦ Attached request form outside the plastic bag (do not fold).
Liquid base picture (cytology)
Content and instruction varied depends on manufacturer. Contains 30-40% Ethanol based. Samples are stable in preservative up-to 2 months in room temperature.