Key Differences Between an SST Tube and a Red Top Tube: Understanding Their Usage in Phlebotomy Practices
Summary
- An SST Tube has a gel separator at the bottom to separate the serum from the blood, while a Red Top tube does not have any separator.
- An SST Tube is used for tests that require serum, such as glucose or cholesterol tests, while a Red Top tube is used for tests that require whole blood, such as CBC tests.
- The main difference between an SST Tube and a Red Top tube lies in the type of tests they are used for and the presence of a gel separator in the SST Tube.
Introduction
Medical laboratories and healthcare facilities in the United States rely on various types of tubes and containers to collect and store blood samples for diagnostic testing. Two commonly used tubes in phlebotomy practices are the SST (serum separator tube) and the Red Top tube. While both tubes are used for blood collection, there are key differences between them in terms of their design and the types of tests they are used for.
What is an SST Tube?
An SST Tube, also known as a serum separator tube, is a type of blood collection tube that contains a gel separator at the bottom. The gel separator is specifically designed to separate the serum from the blood once the sample has been centrifuged. This allows for easier extraction of the serum for various laboratory tests.
Key features of an SST Tube:
- Gel separator at the bottom of the tube
- Commonly used for serum tests
- Allows for easy extraction of serum after centrifugation
What is a Red Top tube?
A Red Top tube, on the other hand, does not contain any gel separator at the bottom. It is a plain tube that is used for collecting whole blood samples. The absence of a gel separator means that the blood in a Red Top tube must be allowed to clot naturally before the serum can be extracted for testing.
Key features of a Red Top tube:
- No gel separator
- Used for whole blood samples
- Requires natural clotting before serum extraction
Main differences between an SST Tube and a Red Top tube
While both SST tubes and Red Top tubes are used for blood collection, they serve different purposes and are used for different types of tests in medical laboratories. The main differences between an SST Tube and a Red Top tube include:
Type of tests
SST tubes are primarily used for tests that require serum, such as glucose, cholesterol, or hormone tests. The gel separator in the tube allows for easy extraction of the serum, making it ideal for these types of tests. On the other hand, Red Top tubes are used for tests that require whole blood, such as complete blood count (CBC) tests.
Centrifugation process
When a blood sample is collected in an SST Tube, the tube must be centrifuged to separate the serum from the blood. The gel separator in the SST Tube helps to facilitate this process by forming a barrier between the serum and the blood cells. In contrast, the blood in a Red Top tube must be allowed to clot naturally before the serum can be extracted for testing.
Laboratory Workflow
The presence of a gel separator in an SST Tube can help streamline the laboratory Workflow by making it easier to extract the serum for testing. This can save time and reduce the risk of contamination during the testing process. Red Top tubes, on the other hand, require additional steps to allow the blood to clot before the serum can be extracted, which can slow down the testing process.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the main difference between an SST Tube and a Red Top tube lies in the type of tests they are used for and the presence of a gel separator in the SST Tube. While both tubes are essential for blood collection in medical laboratories and phlebotomy practices, understanding their differences and appropriate usage can help ensure accurate and efficient testing for patients in the United States.
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