Types Of Blood Collection Tubes

Article

Apr 7

Blood collection tubes are an essential tool in the medical field, used for collecting and storing blood samples for various laboratory tests. Different types of blood collection tubes are designed to preserve the integrity of different components of blood, such as plasma, serum, or whole blood. In this article, we will discuss the different types of blood collection tubes commonly used in medical laboratories.

Vacutainer Tubes

Vacutainer tubes are the most commonly used blood collection tubes in medical laboratories. These tubes are made of glass or plastic and contain a vacuum that helps draw blood into the tube. Vacutainer tubes come in various sizes and colors, each designed for specific tests or components of blood.

Types of Vacutainer Tubes

Serum Tubes

Serum tubes are designed to collect blood samples that will be used to obtain serum for various tests. Serum is obtained by allowing the blood to clot, then separating the liquid portion without the clotting factors. Serum tubes typically contain a clot activator or gel separator to aid in the clotting process.

Types of Serum Tubes

Red-Topped Tubes
Gold-Topped Tubes
Orange-Topped Tubes

Plasma Tubes

Plasma tubes are used to collect blood samples that will be used to obtain plasma for testing. Plasma is the liquid portion of blood that contains clotting factors and other proteins. Plasma tubes typically contain an anticoagulant, which prevents the blood from clotting and allows for the separation of plasma from other blood components.

Types of Plasma Tubes

Green-Topped Tubes
Lavender-Topped Tubes
Blue-Topped Tubes

Anticoagulant Tubes

Anticoagulant tubes are designed to prevent blood from clotting by inhibiting the coagulation cascade. These tubes are used to collect blood samples for tests that require whole blood or plasma without clotting. Anticoagulant tubes come in various types, each containing a different anticoagulant.

Types of Anticoagulant Tubes

Blue-Topped Tubes (Sodium Citrate)
Green-Topped Tubes (Heparin)
Purple-Topped Tubes (EDTA)

EDTA Tubes

EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) tubes are commonly used for collecting blood samples for hematological tests. EDTA is an anticoagulant that binds to calcium ions in the blood, preventing the blood from clotting. These tubes are typically lavender or purple in color.

Uses of EDTA Tubes

Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Blood Smear Examination
Hemoglobin Electrophoresis

Citrate Tubes

Citrate tubes are used to collect blood samples for coagulation studies. These tubes contain sodium citrate, which binds to calcium ions in the blood, preventing the blood from clotting. Citrate tubes are typically blue in color and are used for tests such as prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT).

Uses of Citrate Tubes

Coagulation Studies
Thromboelastography
Factor Assays

Gel Separator Tubes

Gel separator tubes are designed to separate serum or plasma from the other components of blood using a gel barrier. After centrifugation, the gel forms a barrier between the serum or plasma and the cellular components, allowing for easy separation. Gel separator tubes are commonly used for tests that require clean, non-hemolyzed samples.

Uses of Gel Separator Tubes

Chemistry Panels
Hormone Assays
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring

Overall, blood collection tubes play a crucial role in the accurate and efficient collection of blood samples for laboratory testing. Understanding the different types of blood collection tubes and their uses is essential for healthcare professionals to ensure the quality and reliability of test results. By selecting the appropriate tube for each test, healthcare providers can optimize the collection process and achieve accurate diagnostic outcomes.

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Lauren Davis, BS, CPT

Lauren Davis is a certified phlebotomist with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from the University of Miami. With 5 years of hands-on experience in both hospital and mobile phlebotomy settings, Lauren has developed a passion for ensuring the safety and comfort of patients during blood draws. She has extensive experience in pediatric, geriatric, and inpatient phlebotomy, and is committed to advancing the practices of blood collection to improve both accuracy and patient satisfaction.

Lauren enjoys writing about the latest phlebotomy techniques, patient communication, and the importance of adhering to best practices in laboratory safety. She is also an advocate for continuing education in the field and frequently conducts workshops to help other phlebotomists stay updated with industry standards.