SST Tube vs. Red Top Tube: Understanding the Differences
Summary
- SST Tube and Red Top tube are both commonly used in clinical labs and hospitals in the United States, but they have specific differences in terms of function and testing capabilities.
- SST tubes are designed for serum separation and can be used for a wide range of tests, while Red Top tubes are typically used for specific tests that require whole blood or serum collection.
- Understanding the differences between SST and Red Top tubes is essential for healthcare professionals to ensure accurate Test Results and patient care.
SST Tube vs. Red Top Tube: Understanding the Differences
SST Tube
An SST Tube, or serum separator tube, is designed to separate serum from blood cells after centrifugation. The tube contains a gel that forms a barrier between the serum and the blood cells, allowing for easy extraction of the serum for testing.
Function:
- SST tubes are used for a wide range of tests that require serum, such as chemistry tests, hormone tests, and lipid profile tests.
Testing Capabilities:
- SST tubes are ideal for tests that require serum, as the gel barrier ensures that the serum is not contaminated with blood cells.
- Common tests that can be performed using SST tubes include glucose tests, liver function tests, and kidney function tests.
Red Top Tube
A Red Top tube is a plain tube without any additives or separation gels. It is typically used for tests that require whole blood or serum collection without any additives.
Function:
- Red Top tubes are commonly used for tests that require whole blood, such as blood type testing, blood count tests, and blood clotting tests.
Testing Capabilities:
- Tests that require whole blood, such as Blood Glucose tests, complete blood count tests, and coagulation tests, can be performed using Red Top tubes.
- Red Top tubes are also used for serum collection when additives are not required for testing.
Conclusion
In conclusion, SST tubes and Red Top tubes serve different functions and have specific testing capabilities in clinical labs and hospitals in the United States. Understanding the differences between these two types of tubes is essential for healthcare professionals to ensure accurate Test Results and provide quality patient care.
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