Understanding Additives in Gold SST Blood Test Tubes: Silica Particles, Gel Barrier, and Clot Activators

Summary

  • Gold SST blood tests are commonly used in healthcare settings
  • The tubes used for these tests contain additives to help with clotting and separating blood components
  • Common additives include silica particles and a gel barrier

Introduction

In the United States, home healthcare, clinical labs, and hospitals rely on a variety of blood tests to diagnose and monitor various medical conditions. One commonly used test is the gold SST blood test, which is used to measure a patient's liver function, kidney function, glucose levels, and electrolyte levels, among other things. The tubes used for these tests contain additives that help with clotting and separating blood components, ensuring accurate results.

Common Additives in Gold SST Tubes

Silica Particles

One of the most common additives found in gold SST tubes is silica particles. These particles help with the clotting process by providing a surface for platelets to adhere to, forming a clot. The silica particles also help with the separation of serum from the blood cells by aiding in the precipitation of fibrinogen and other clotting factors. This separation is crucial for obtaining accurate Test Results.

Gel Barrier

Another common additive in gold SST tubes is a gel barrier. This gel forms a physical barrier between the serum and the blood cells after the tube has been centrifuged. The gel barrier helps to prevent any contamination of the serum with blood cells, ensuring that the serum sample remains pure and accurate for testing. The gel barrier also aids in the efficient separation of serum from the blood cells, making the testing process more streamlined and reliable.

Clot Activators

Some gold SST tubes also contain clot activators, such as micronized silica or glass particles. These activators help to accelerate the clotting process, ensuring that the serum is quickly separated from the blood cells. This acceleration is important for tests that require rapid processing, such as emergency situations or time-sensitive tests. The clot activators also help to ensure that the serum sample is not contaminated with any residual blood cells, leading to more accurate Test Results.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the tubes utilized for performing a gold SST blood test contain a variety of additives that help with clotting and separating blood components. Silica particles, gel barriers, and clot activators are common additives that are found in these tubes, ensuring that the serum sample remains pure and accurate for testing. These additives play a crucial role in the accuracy and reliability of gold SST blood tests, making them essential components in healthcare settings across the United States.

a-rack-full-of-blood-collection-tubes

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