Blog

Home > Blog

All you need to know about Blood Collection Tubes

There are several different types of Blood Collection Tubes. Each of them is used for a different purpose. In some cases, the tubes may contain anticoagulants to help prevent bleeding. Others may contain an anticoagulant such as sodium fluoride. In general, these tubes are not as common as other types. These tubes are often used for tissue or blood typing and for DNA analysis. The more specific the purpose, the more blood collection tubes are available.

There are three basic types of Blood Collection Tubes. There are green, blue, and grey tops. There are other coloured tops as well but there are 3 major ones. The green tube contains heparin, which inhibits clotting. The blue top contains lithium heparin, while the grey top contains sodium fluoride and potassium oxalate. Plasma and cells are collected in the grey tubes, while the yellow top contains EDTA. The type of tube that you use depends on the test you're performing.

Plastic Blood Collection Tubes are also commonly used. Both PET and polypropylene are durable and are capable of maintaining a vacuum. Compared to PET, polypropylene has a better liquid barrier, so liquid in a PET tube tends to evaporate. The two materials are equally effective at ensuring that the concentration of citrate in a specimen is accurate. However, one should take care when purchasing tubes and other supplies. This is a critical component of the entire process of performing various tests.

If you want to use the best blood collection tubes, you must be sure to choose those that meet the specific requirements of your tests. There are several types of Blood Collection Tubes, but they are not interchangeable. The test specifications of each tube may vary, and you need to train your staff properly before making the switch. In addition, certain Blood Collection Tubes may not be compatible with your current collection system, so additional staff training is required.

The patient should be informed about the procedure before being bled. The patient must state their date of birth, name, and the minimum amount of blood required for testing. It is important to know whether there are any time or diet restrictions that will affect the blood sample. In addition, you should follow the procedures as outlined by CLSI and your state regulations. If you are unsure of how to perform these procedures, consult the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute for additional information.

The FDA monitors supply chain shortages and takes action when necessary to ensure that health care personnel and laboratories are not left without essential supplies. The FDA recently approved a type of Blood Collection Tube that contains sodium citrate. However, this type of Tube is only allowed to be used in laboratories certified under the CLIA program, codified in 42 U.S.C. SS263A. The FDA recommends using sodium citrate blood specimen collection tubes only when necessary for testing.

Some tests require the use of special tubes that must be acquired prior to obtaining a patient's blood. For example, if a test requires serum or plasma samples, the sample must be drawn into a glass test tube before it can be centrifuged. During the entire procedure, the tubes should be inverted eight to ten times, which ensures proper anticoagulation. Moreover, they must be sterilized before use.

See Capillary Action Yourself

An excellent and easy demonstration of capillary action is done by placing a celery in water. Colour the water with food colouring and observe the progress of the dye up the celery stalk.

Fast Facts and history of Capillary action study

  • Capillary action was first recorded by Leonardo da Vinci.·        
  • Robert Boyle performed experiments on capillary action in 1660.
  • A mathematical model of the phenomenon was presented by Thomas
  • Albert Einstein's first scientific paper in 1900 was written on the subject of capillarity.