Main Differences in Collection and Processing Techniques for SST Tube and Red Top Tube in Medical Lab Settings

Summary

• An SST Tube contains a gel separator that separates the serum from the blood cells, while a Red Top tube does not contain any gel separator.
• The processing technique for an SST Tube involves centrifuging the tube to separate the serum from the blood cells, while a Red Top tube requires the blood to clot before centrifugation.
• When collecting blood samples for an SST Tube, it is important to invert the tube several times to ensure proper mixing of the blood with the gel separator, while this step is not necessary for a Red Top tube.

Introduction

Medical laboratories play a crucial role in the healthcare industry by conducting various tests on patient samples to assist in diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of diseases. Phlebotomists, who are trained professionals responsible for drawing blood samples from patients, use different types of tubes to collect blood for testing. Two common types of tubes used in medical labs are the SST Tube and the Red Top tube. In this article, we will explore the main differences in the collection and processing techniques required for an SST Tube compared to a Red Top tube in medical lab and phlebotomy settings in the United States.

SST Tube

The SST Tube, also known as a serum separator tube, contains a gel separator that separates the serum from the blood cells after centrifugation. The gel separator is made of a material that has a specific gravity intermediate to that of serum and blood cells, allowing it to form a physical barrier between the serum and the cells. This enables the clear separation of serum, which is the liquid component of blood, from the blood cells, making it easier for laboratory technicians to perform various tests on the serum. The gel separator in an SST Tube also helps prevent contamination between the serum and the cells, ensuring accurate Test Results.

Collection Technique

1. Before collecting blood in an SST Tube, it is important to label the tube with the patient's information to ensure accurate identification of the sample.
2. When collecting blood, the phlebotomist should use a needle and syringe or a vacuum tube system to draw the blood into the SST Tube.
3. After collecting the blood, the phlebotomist should invert the SST Tube several times to ensure proper mixing of the blood with the gel separator.

Processing Technique

1. Once the blood sample is collected in the SST Tube, it should be centrifuged at a specific speed and time to separate the serum from the blood cells.
2. After centrifugation, the serum can be easily separated from the gel separator and transferred to another tube for further testing.
3. The serum can be used for various tests, including glucose, cholesterol, liver function, and kidney function tests.

Red Top Tube

The Red Top tube, also known as a plain tube, does not contain a gel separator like the SST Tube. Instead, the Red Top tube is used for collecting blood samples that require the blood to clot before processing. The clotting process helps separate the serum from the blood cells naturally. The serum can then be extracted for testing without the need for a gel separator.

Collection Technique

1. Similar to the SST Tube, the Red Top tube should be labeled with the patient's information before blood collection.
2. When collecting blood in a Red Top tube, the phlebotomist should ensure that the tube is filled to the proper volume to allow for clotting.
3. After collecting the blood, the Red Top tube should be allowed to sit undisturbed for a specific period to allow the blood to clot.

Processing Technique

1. Once the blood has clotted in the Red Top tube, it should be centrifuged to separate the serum from the blood cells.
2. The serum can then be transferred to another tube for testing, similar to the process used for the SST Tube.
3. The serum collected from a Red Top tube can be used for a wide range of tests, including blood chemistry, hormone levels, and infection markers.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the main differences in the collection and processing techniques required for an SST Tube compared to a Red Top tube in medical lab and phlebotomy settings in the United States lie in the presence of a gel separator in the SST Tube and the need for the blood to clot in the Red Top tube. The gel separator in an SST Tube facilitates the clear separation of serum from blood cells, while the clotting process in a Red Top tube achieves the same without the use of a gel separator. Understanding these differences is crucial for phlebotomists and laboratory technicians to ensure accurate and reliable Test Results for patient samples.

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