Types of Blood Collection Tubes
Types of Blood Collection Tubes
Blog Article
Blood collection tubes are essential tools in medical and clinical laboratories used for collecting, storing, and processing blood samples. Selecting the appropriate type of blood collection tube is crucial for obtaining accurate and reliable results in tests. This article examines the various types of blood collection tubes and their applications.
Types of Blood Collection Tubes
There are different types of blood collection tubes available in the market for use in laboratories. It is important for all staff working in these facilities to be familiar with these products. Below, we review the different types of blood collection tubes.
Plain Tubes
Plain tubes do not contain any chemical additives or anticoagulants and are used for tests that require serum. The blood inside these tubes naturally clots, and the serum is separated from the blood cells. These tubes are commonly used in chemical and clinical tests for measuring glucose and cholesterol levels.
Anticoagulant Tubes
Another widely used type of blood collection tube in laboratories contains anticoagulants. These tubes have anticoagulant substances that prevent blood from clotting. Depending on the type of anticoagulant, these tubes are divided into several types, including:
EDTA Tubes: EDTA (ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid) is one of the most common anticoagulants used in blood collection tubes. These tubes are used in hematology tests (e.g., blood cell counts). EDTA binds with calcium ions in the blood, inhibiting the blood clotting process.
Heparin Tubes: Another type of anticoagulant blood collection tube contains heparin, a natural anticoagulant that prevents fibrinogen from converting to fibrin. These tubes are used in biochemical tests for plasma and blood gases.
Citrate Tubes: Citrate tubes contain citrate, which reacts with calcium in the blood to prevent clotting. These tubes are mostly used in coagulation tests, such as measuring PT (prothrombin time) and PTT (partial thromboplastin time).
Fluoride Tubes: Another type of blood collection tube that prevents blood clotting contains fluoride and oxalate. These tubes are used for tests that require glucose measurements. The fluoride in these tubes inhibits enzymes that break down glucose. They are commonly used in diabetic or pre-diabetic patients.
Gel Separator Tubes
Gel separator tubes contain a gel substance that acts as a separator between serum or plasma and blood cells. These tubes facilitate the separation of platelets from serum, providing a clean and clear sample for chemical and clinical tests.
Clot Activator Tubes
These blood collection tubes contain substances that accelerate the clotting process. Their use is similar to plain tubes, but the time required for serum separation is reduced. These tubes are useful when faster serum separation is needed.
Arterial Blood Gas Tubes
These specialized blood collection tubes are used for measuring blood pH, oxygen, and carbon dioxide levels. They are specifically designed to collect arterial blood samples and typically contain heparin. Blood gas tests are conducted to determine the respiratory status of patients, and these tubes are necessary for accurate measurement of these parameters.
Micro Blood Collection Tubes
These tubes are designed for collecting small blood samples, especially in children and infants. Some of these tubes contain anticoagulants or gel separators and serve similar purposes to larger tubes as described above.
Blood Collection Tubes by Cap Color
Blood collection tubes typically have caps of different colors, indicating the type of additive inside and its specific application. Each colored cap corresponds to a specific additive. Below are the common cap colors and their uses:
Purple Cap: Contains EDTA for hematology tests and blood component measurements.
Green Cap: Contains heparin for plasma separation and blood cell analysis.
Blue Cap: Contains citrate anticoagulant for prothrombin time (PT) testing.
Red Cap: No additives or contains clot activators.
Gray Cap: Contains fluoride for plasma preparation for glucose tests.
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Important Points in Using Blood Collection Tubes
When using these blood collection tubes, you should follow the steps below:
Order of Blood Collection: It is crucial to maintain the correct order of collection to prevent contamination of samples with additives. The standard order typically includes plain tubes, anticoagulant tubes, and then other types of tubes.
Tube Filling Volume: Each blood collection tube must be filled to a specified level to maintain the proper ratio of additive to blood.
Mixing the Sample: Tubes containing additives must be gently mixed to prevent clot formation.
Conclusion
Blood collection tubes play a vital role in the process of collecting and analyzing blood samples. Selecting the appropriate tube type based on the test required ensures the accuracy and reliability of results. Understanding the various types of tubes and their applications is essential for laboratory staff and healthcare professionals to ensure the best possible blood collection process.