Handling and Processing of Blood Samples in Gold Top SST Tubes: Best Practices for Laboratory Accuracy

Summary

• Proper handling and processing of blood samples in Gold Top SST tubes is crucial for accurate and reliable laboratory results.
• After collection, the tubes should be gently inverted 5-6 times to ensure thorough mixing of the blood with the Clot Activator and gel separator.
• Once centrifuged, the serum can be carefully pipetted off for analysis, taking care not to disturb the gel barrier or red blood cell layer.

Introduction

In the medical laboratory setting, handling and processing blood samples collected in Gold Top SST tubes is a common practice. These tubes contain a gel separator and Clot Activator that aid in the separation of serum from whole blood. Proper handling and processing techniques are essential to ensure accurate and reliable results for patient diagnosis and treatment. In this article, we will discuss the protocol for handling and processing blood samples collected in Gold Top SST tubes in a medical laboratory setting in the United States.

Collection of Blood Samples

Before delving into the protocol for handling and processing blood samples in Gold Top SST tubes, it is important to briefly discuss the proper collection technique. When collecting blood samples for laboratory testing, it is essential to follow standard procedures to minimize the risk of contamination or pre-analytical errors. The following steps should be followed:

1. Properly identify the patient using two unique identifiers.
2. Select the appropriate Venipuncture site and collect the required volume of blood into a Gold Top SST Tube.
3. Gently invert the tube 5-6 times to mix the blood with the Clot Activator and gel separator.
4. Label the tube with the patient's information, including name, date of birth, and medical record number.
5. Transport the sample to the laboratory for processing within the required timeframe.

Handling of Gold Top SST Tubes

Once the blood samples are collected in Gold Top SST tubes, it is crucial to handle them properly to prevent clotting or hemolysis, which can affect the accuracy of laboratory Test Results. The following steps should be followed:

1. Store the tubes upright at room temperature until they are ready for processing.
2. Avoid exposing the tubes to extreme temperatures or prolonged sunlight, as this can impact the stability of the blood sample.
3. Do not freeze the samples unless specifically instructed for certain tests, as freezing can cause hemolysis and alter the results.
4. Handle the tubes with care to prevent accidental breakage or spillage of the blood sample.

Processing of Blood Samples

Once the blood samples in Gold Top SST tubes have been collected and properly handled, they need to be processed in the laboratory to separate the serum from the clot and red blood cells. The following steps outline the protocol for processing blood samples in Gold Top SST tubes:

1. Centrifuge the tubes at the appropriate speed and time to allow for proper separation of the serum, clot, and red blood cells.
2. After centrifugation, carefully remove the tubes from the centrifuge without disturbing the layers.
3. Using a pipette, transfer the serum from the top layer into a new tube for analysis.
4. Avoid pipetting any cellular material or clot that may be present in the tube, as this can lead to inaccurate results.
5. If the sample is not going to be analyzed immediately, store it at the proper temperature and follow the laboratory's guidelines for sample retention.

Conclusion

Proper handling and processing of blood samples in Gold Top SST tubes are critical steps in the laboratory testing process. By following the protocol outlined in this article, healthcare professionals can ensure accurate and reliable results for patient diagnosis and treatment. It is important to pay attention to detail and follow standard procedures to minimize the risk of pre-analytical errors that can affect the quality of laboratory Test Results.

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